New Delhi: Unidentified gunmen on Thursday opened fire at an Indian army vehicle in Kashmir, killing at least five soldiers, the army said.

Grenades were also likely thrown at the vehicle in the Rajouri sector of the region, causing it to catch fire, the army said. One soldier was severely wounded.

"Operations are in progress to locate the perpetrators," the army said in a statement.

A defence ministry source said Army Chief General Manoj Pande has briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the attack.

In August last year, militants attacked an Indian army post in Rajouri, killing three soldiers, while two attackers died in the shootout.