SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Indian troops in Indian-controlled Kashmir have started a "mysterious" census in the region by going from house to house to collect details about families, said local residents on Thursday.

    The reports of this kind of census have been received from north and south of Indian-controlled Kashmir in the region over the past few days.

    "Earlier this morning the troops of Indian army visited our home and sought details about our family. They were asking about our names, personal details and source of income," said a local resident named Waseem Ahmad over phone to Xinhua from a south Kashmir town.

    The census by the army has surprised the local residents, who see it as an intrusion in their personal lives.

    However, Indian Army spokesperson in Srinagar, Colonel Rana, denied any such exercise in the region.

    He told Xinhua that he does not have any information in this regard.

    "I do not have any information in this regard. May be our soldiers might be seeking details about prominent details or local police would be gathering some details about former militants. I would check the details," he said.

    Census in localities is otherwise conducted by civil departments.

    In the year 1991 the census was not conducted in Kashmir following anti-Indian insurgency. Militants have threatened to disrupt any such activity citing disputed status of the region.

    However, in 2001 the census was conducted despite threats of disruption.