Eight suspected militants killed in a clash with Indian troops were Pakistani nationals who were “major leaders” of a powerful rebel group, the army said on Thursday.The eight were killed as they allegedly tried to sneak into Indian Kashmir from the Pakistani side of the region across a heavily militarised ceasefire line. India said it was the biggest single attempt by militants to penetrate the Indian zone this year. “This group had major leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba who were tasked to provide leadership to the terrorists in the (Kashmir) valley and coordinate their operations,” an army statement said. Pakistan denies aiding the militants in the nearly two decade-old separatist revolt that has claimed over 42,000 lives. The army, which lost two soldiers in the fighting, did not divulge the names of the slain militants but said all were Pakistani nationals.