Two police officers were shot dead and several others injured during violent clashes with supporters of former President Evo Morales in the mining town of Llallagua, located in Bolivia’s southwestern Potosí region, authorities confirmed Thursday.

The confrontations erupted as security forces attempted to disperse protesters who were blocking a main road. Interior Minister Roberto Ríos said in a Facebook post that the officers were “cowardly shot and killed,” without providing further details on the number of injured.

The deadly incident comes just a day after 17 people were injured in similar clashes in the same town, when Morales supporters clashed with residents trying to reopen the blocked road.

Tensions have been rising in the region amid ongoing political and social unrest, with Morales loyalists staging protests and roadblocks. The Bolivian government has called for calm and urged all parties to engage in dialogue to avoid further violence.