Jammu Sees Third Terrorist Attack Within A Week: Encounter Underway In Doda, Six Security Personnel Injured

An encounter is ongoing between terrorists and security forces in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir following an attack on an army base late last night.

Five soldiers and a special police officer (SPO) were injured in the shootout.

This marks the third such incident in as many days in Jammu, a region that has seen a surge in terror attacks.

Earlier this week, terrorists opened fire in Kathua, injuring a civilian, and targeted a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, resulting in the deaths of nine passengers.

According to Anand Jain, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, who is supervising the anti-terrorist operation, a terrorist was eliminated in an encounter in Kathua last night.

The terrorists opened fire at a joint party of police and Rashtriya Rifles at an army base in the Chattargala area late last night, Jain said.

An encounter is underway between the security forces and the terrorists in the higher reaches, he added.

Jammu has been increasingly targeted by terrorists, with several recent attacks occurring in areas previously considered free from terrorism.

In the Kathua attack, police reported that two terrorists were involved, one of whom has been killed. Security forces are now deploying drones to search for the second terrorist in the Hiranagar area of Kathua.

The terrorists reportedly asked for water from several houses, raising villagers' suspicions, and opened fire when some residents raised an alarm.

One civilian was injured in the firing, Jain clarified, denying reports that three people had died in the attack.

"There are rumours that many people are injured and three are dead. But only one civilian was injured, other than this all information regarding hostages being held and death, are rumours," he said, NDTV reported.

Jain characterized the Kathua attack as a "fresh infiltration," hinting at Pakistan's involvement without directly naming the country.

"It is our hostile neighbour who always tries to damage the peaceful environment in our country. This (Hiranagar Terror attack) appears to be a fresh infiltration," he said.

Two days earlier, a bus headed to the Shiv Khori cave temple was attacked in Reasi. Terrorists opened fire when the bus driver refused to let passengers deboard, causing the vehicle to plunge into a gorge, according to the bus company's manager.

The attack, which was reportedly directed by Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Hamza, resulted in nine deaths and 33 injuries.

Also Read: Chandrababu Naidu Set To Take Oath As Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister For Fourth Time, Here's All About Ceremony