An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday, just a day after a deadly attack in Kathua that claimed the lives of five soldiers.

The clash in Doda comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the ambush on an Army convoy in Kathua on July 8. In that incident, five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, were killed, and eight others were injured.

Billawar Additional Deputy Commissioner Vinay Khosla said, ”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. Out of which, 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 Kathua attack site to investigate the incident.

The recent surge in terror attacks in the Jammu division has raised concerns among political parties. Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda expressed alarm over the frequency of 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)