Four Indain Soldiers have been killed in a gunfight with suspected militants in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The clash occurred on Monday night during a security operation in the forests of Doda district. Reports indicate the gunfight erupted when militants, allegedly hiding in the area, opened fire.

Since 1989, Kashmir has experienced an armed insurgency against Indian rule, resulting in thousands of deaths, although violence has decreased in recent years. However, the relatively peaceful Jammu region has witnessed rising violence, with at least eight incidents reported since June.

Read more: Five Indian Soldiers Killed In Kashmir Attack

Notably, last month, nine people were killed and 33 injured when militants attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in the area. Additionally, five soldiers were killed in an ambush in Kathua district the previous week.

In the latest incident, security forces launched a large-scale search operation across Doda district based on intelligence reports. Five Indain Soldiers were critically injured during the exchange of fire on Monday night, with four of them later succumbing to their injuries, as reported by the army on X.

The Himalayan region of Kashmir has long been a contentious area between India and Pakistan, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting militants, a claim that Pakistan denies.