SRINAGAR, Kashmir — Three suspected rebels and two Indian Army soldiers were killed in a fierce gun battle in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said Saturday.

The fighting began late Friday after Indian troops and police officers surrounded Karewa Malino, a village about 35 miles south of Indian Kashmir’s main city, Srinagar, and began a search for suspected militants there, said a paramilitary officer, Nalin Prabhat.

Officer Prabhat said the exchange of fire stopped during the night after two men suspected of being militants and two soldiers, including an officer, were killed. Fighting erupted again Saturday morning, and a third gunman was killed.