An encounter between security forces and terrorists erupted in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday, following a deadly attack in Kathua that killed five soldiers the day before.
The clash in Doda has escalated tensions in the region after an ambush on an Army convoy in Kathua on July 8. This ambush resulted in the deaths of five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, and left eight others injured.
Billawar Additional Deputy Commissioner Vinay Khosla stated, “An unfortunate incident took place yesterday in which 5 soldiers died. Strict action will be taken against the terrorists responsible for this. 8 injured soldiers were brought to Billawar Hospital. The Army shifted six jawans to Pathankot Hospital after being provided with the best possible treatment here.”
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrived at the site of the Kathua attack to conduct an investigation.
The recent increase in terror attacks in the Jammu division has raised alarm among political parties. Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda expressed concern over the frequent attacks.
“This cowardly attack on our Army personnel is extremely condemnable. The thing of concern is that it is the 5th attack in a month. Recently, an encounter took place in Kulgam where 6 terrorists were killed and 2 soldiers were martyred. On June 26, there was an encounter in Doda, and on June 9, the day of the Prime Minister’s swearing-in ceremony, a bus heading towards Vaishno Devi was attacked,” Hooda said. (Inputs from ANI)