Shuvam Sharma, Dr. Ranjan Sharma
In a disturbing turn of events, on November 7, 2024; two members of the Village Defence Groups (VDGs) Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar were killed by terrorists in a gruesome manner. Terrorists shared their photographs on social media and security forces recovered their bodies from the forest of Ohli Kuntwara area of Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). This incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Village Defence Guards, following the recent attacks on minority communities, particularly in the Rajouri attack.
Village Defence Committees (VDCs) now referred as Village Defence Guards (VDGs) was established in the year of 1995 in response to the increasing violence against civil population in the remote areas of violence-affected region of J&K. This is being done with a view to ensure the safety and security of such villages, infrastructural installations in and around them and to check the free movement of terrorist across the rugged terrain. However, over the years, the decline in the terrorism in the region led to the disbanding of the VDCs and its volunteer members were asked to return their weapons to the local police stations. Many of these committees were dismantled. In 2015, the Jammu and Kashmir police decided to disengage VDC members above the age of 60, but implementation of this decision was put on hold following the intervention of Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who is also a Member of Parliament from Kathua-Doda constituency.
There have been several attacks in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, Kathua and now Kishtwar district of Jammu division. In response to the emerging security challenges and increasing terrorist activities in the Jammu division, the J&K Government has modified its existing framework to prevent terrorist activities and strengthen the security grid across J&K. On August 14, 2022, the government approved the formulation of Village Defence Guards Scheme – 2022 through Order No. 287-Home of 2022, the implementation of which began from August 15, 2022. This updated scheme revised civilian-based defence system in ‘more sensitive areas,’ converting the former Village Defence Committees (VDCs) into newly structured Village Defence Groups (VDGs).
VDGs under the 2022 plan are organized into two categories: V1 and V2. The V1 category includes the heads or coordinators of each VDG, who receive a monthly salary of ?4,500. In contrast, V2 category members serve on a voluntary basis and receive ?4,000 per month each. The structure stipulates that the strength of each group should not exceed 15 members and each group works under the direct supervision and guidance of the Superintendent of Police (SP) or Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of their respective district.
One of the significant improvements in the new scheme is an equitable salary model, which now includes all VDG members unlike in the previous VDC system, where only the head of each committee, who usually held the rank of Special Police Officer (SPO), got paid. Additionally, recognizing the need for advanced equipment to counter modern threats, the government has begun the process of replacing World War I-era vintage .303 rifles with more reliable self-loading rifles (SLRs). In line with this initiative, more than 200 SLRs have already been distributed among various VDGs across the region, enhancing the operational capabilities of these defence groups.
The Kishtwar incident is not an isolated incident and it seems like it is part of a larger pattern of attacks on VDG members. As part of a broader strategy to intensify terrorism within the Poonch-Rajouri region and Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban (DKR) region, terrorist groups are deliberately targeting local minority communities in remote areas of Jammu division. This planned escalation serves to increase pressure on the security forces, diverting them from the border areas and the Kashmir Valley. Taking advantage of this, terrorists can infiltrate from across the border and cause violence in the valley again, which can create strategic vulnerabilities and potentially destabilizing the region which further creates an environment conducive to terrorist activities. These tactics are aimed at disrupting the prevailing peace and stability that the government claims to have in J&K following the abrogation of Article 370. Furthermore, by inciting unrest, Pakistan seeks to take advantage of these attacks as a means to exert political pressure on Government of India. The intention is to challenge the peace and undermine the sense of normalcy that has arisen after abrogation of Article 370.
VDGs have emerged as a formidable barrier against these efforts. On 6 Aug. 2023, in a heroic moment VDG member Purshotam kumar showed extraordinary courage and gunned down a Pakistani terrorist in Budhal area of Rajouri district, he was awarded with Shaurya Chakra for his bravery. Similarly in an another incident on 11 April 2024, a member of VDG observed some suspicious activities near the Line of Control (LoC) in Makri village located in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. He raised an alarm and with the help of villagers recovered a bag containing 8.5 kg of narcotics, which subsequently led to arrest of three traffickers. These incidents shows that apart from merely protecting their villages, VDGs also play an important role in protecting the communities, monitoring suspicious activities and cooperating closely with security forces. They contribute to counter-terrorism operations by gathering intelligence, acting as local guides for security forces and in case of attack they hold positions until reinforcements arrive. Their presence has effectively decimated terror activities, making it difficult for terrorist groups to operate freely within the region.
However, terrorists are resorting to psychological tactics to counter VDGs by aggressively targeting VDGs members. On 28 April 2024, a VDG member Muhammad Shareef lost his life during exchange of fire with terrorist when he was accompanying security forces in a search operation in Panara village of Basantgarh in Udhampur district. On 22 July 2024, terrorists targeted the house of a Shaurya Chakra awardee VDG member in Gundha Khawas village of Budhal area of Rajouri district in which his uncle was injured and recently on 7 November 2024, killing of two VDG members in Kuntwara area of Kishtwar district. Kashmir Tigers, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist organization, claimed responsibility for the attack by releasing photographs of blindfolded dead bodies. These attacks are strategically designed to instil fear among VDG members and undermine the confidence of potential new recruits, thereby weakening the local defence system. The aim of this psychological campaign is to deter locals from joining and supporting the VDGs, thereby reducing community participation in countering terrorist activities. Ultimately, the primary goal of these attacks is to overwhelm community-based defences, and creating an environment where terrorist activities can occur with minimal interference.
The persistent attacks on VDGs significantly jeopardized the security of local communities, raising concerns about the personal safety of residents and VDG members. VDGs serve as the first line of defence in rural and remote areas, standing as critical barriers to terrorism. Their role in safeguarding communities is invaluable, particularly in regions where timely responses from conventional security forces may be challenging. Recognizing the VDG’s contribution, local communities appreciate their dedication and sacrifices. In response, the government has made commendable strides toward bolstering the capabilities and morale of these guards by offering increased salaries and improved training.
In this regard, a more robust, multi-faceted government approach would reinforce the security framework. There are some suggestions which can help enabling VDGs to fulfil their duties more effectively and securely. Firstly, VDG’s operational abilities would be improved by regular training sessions, ensuring their continued effectiveness in changing security circumstances. Furthermore, having access to enhanced equipment such as modern weapons, night vision devices for night patrols, and bulletproof jackets and helmets will considerably increase their readiness and protection. Secondly there is a need for close coordination of security agencies with VDGs on intelligence gathering, which can improve early detection of possible threats, improving the possibility of preventing terrorist activities. VDG’s local expertise and insights make them a valuable resource for gathering significant intelligence for security forces.
Shuvam Sharma (Research Scholar at Department of National Security Studies, Central University of Jammu)
Dr. Ranjan Sharma (Faculty at Department of Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
