Jerusalem, Nov 27 (IANS): Four IS militants were killed on Sunday when Israeli soldiers opened fire in response to rockets launched from a vehicle approaching Israeli-held territory from Syria, a military statement said.

Clashes were also reported in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights after an alleged Islamic State affiliate group launched rockets into the region from Syria, Efe news agency reported.

The attack from Syria provoked military engagement from the Israeli Armed Forces present in the contested region which has been administered by the State of Israel since 1967.

"Earlier, gunmen fired and launched mortar shells from Syria at IDF forces in Golan. IDF returned fire and successfully targeted the cell," an Israeli Defense Force spokesperson tweeted.

A military spokeswoman told EFE that the attacks were perpetrated by the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade -- an alleged IS-linked group fighting near the Israeli and Jordanian border.

Tensions have escalated in the Golan Heights region since the onset of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. Across the border, the territory is controlled by IS affiliates and various opposition rebel groups.