Amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Chenab Valley, the Indian Army has intensified its efforts to bolster grassroots security by providing comprehensive training to Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative aims to strengthen community-based defense mechanisms and enhance coordination between local communities and security agencies.
Approximately 150 VDGs, including women volunteers, from 17 remote villages along the Doda-Chamba border are participating in the intensive training program. The training encompasses various crucial skills, including handling automatic rifles, mastering minor tactics, self-defense techniques, constructing bunkers, and repelling enemy attacks. These villages are strategically located near forested and mountainous areas, where security forces are actively conducting search operations in response to suspected terrorist movements.
The training is being conducted at Shingini panchayat of Bhalessa, which is about 90 km from the Doda district headquarters. The goal is to equip the volunteers with the necessary skills to effectively protect their villages and serve as the first line of defense, especially in vulnerable areas. Army officials have emphasized that this initiative complements the ongoing operations by the Army, police, and paramilitary forces to track down and neutralize terrorists who infiltrated the Chenab Valley, particularly the Doda and Kishtwar districts, in recent years.
VDG members have expressed their appreciation for the training and the recent upgrade of their weaponry. They conveyed their gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for providing self-loading rifles (SLRs) to replace the older .303 rifles, which has significantly boosted their confidence. Surinder Singh, a VDG member from Shingani, noted that the training includes weapon handling, bunker construction, and self-defense. He also requested the government to provide more automatic weapons, recalling frequent terror attacks in the region during the early 1990s. Rajesh Kumar Thakur, another VDG member from Gauala village, stated that the training by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police has instilled a sense of confidence.
Army officials have stated that these training initiatives play a vital role in strengthening coordination between the armed forces and local defense groups, thereby contributing to overall security and resilience at the grassroots level. The Chenab Valley region, including Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts, has been under heightened vigilance following recent terror-related incidents. The Army is focusing on building the capacity of local defense volunteers to counter potential threats and maintain peace in vulnerable villages. VDGs possess critical knowledge of the terrain and population, making them an important force multiplier in counter-terrorism efforts. Regular training and refresher courses are being conducted to keep them operationally prepared and disciplined. The Army also emphasized that the program aims to strengthen security and instill confidence among local residents, ensuring they feel protected during ongoing operations. Security forces maintain a high state of alert across the Chenab Valley, with search operations and intelligence-based actions to neutralize terrorist networks and ensure long-term stability.
