New Delhi - At least seven suspected militants were killed in combat with security forces in India's north-eastern state of Manipur on Sunday, a news report said.

A group of heavily armed rebels clashed paramilitary troops in the Imphal East district, some 30 kilometres south-east of state capital Imphal, the IANS news agency reported quoting police sources.

"Based on hard intelligence inputs, an Assam Rifles column went to the area for an anti-insurgency operation when they came under attack from militants with automatic weapons," a police officer told IANS.

The troops retaliated and the encounter lasted for nearly an hour, leaving seven rebels dead, he said.

Police suspected that a few rebels escaped. A cache of explosives and weapons was recovered from the scene.

"The process of identification is on although we are not sure as to which group they belong to," the officer said.

Manipur is one of India's smallest states, with a population of 2.3 million inhabitants. More than 19 militant groups are active in the state that borders Myanmar, with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy.

More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to the conflict in Manipur during the past two decades. (dpa)