National Conference won 41 seats and was leading in one constituency, mainly from the Kashmir Valley, the heartland of the anti-India rebellion, the data showed.

Opposition parties seeking the restoration of autonomy in volatile Indian-administered Kashmir have edged out the party of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the first regional election since New Delhi imposed direct rule five years ago.

The election will bring some self-rule back to the Himalayan region after years of being administered directly by New Delhi.

Votes are being counted in the recent election for a largely powerless local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Kashmir's biggest party, which opposes India's stripping of the region's semi-autonomy, wins most seats in local poll

Indian-administered Kashmir elected Tuesday its first government since the restive Himalayan territory was brought under New Delhi's direct control, as voters backed opposition parties to lead its regional assembly.

India party, the National Conference, is a blow to Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, which secured only 27 seats.