In Doda district, the Army has stepped up efforts to strengthen village-level security as part of “ongoing counter-terror operations” in the higher reaches of the Chenab valley. Officials said that around 150 Village Defence Guards (VDGs) from 17 remote villages along the Doda-Chamba border are receiving intensive training in weapon handling, self-defence, minor tactics, bunker construction, and repelling enemy attacks. The training also includes women volunteers.
The villages where the training is being conducted are near forested and mountainous areas, where security forces have been conducting extensive search operations following suspected terrorist activity. The program, held at Shingini panchayat in Bhalessa, about 90 km from the district headquarters, aims to equip the VDGs with skills to protect their communities and act as a first line of defence. Officials said the training complements ongoing Army, police, and paramilitary operations targeting terrorists who had infiltrated the Chenab valley, particularly Doda and Kishtwar districts, in previous years.
VDG members welcomed the initiative and expressed gratitude for the recent upgrade of their firearms. Surinder Singh from Shingini said, “This is a major programme bringing together members from 17 Village Defence Groups. We are being trained in weapon handling, bunker construction and self-defence. Receiving such training at our doorstep is highly appreciable.” He requested the government provide more automatic weapons, recalling the frequent terror attacks in the early 1990s.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur from Gauala village added, “Earlier, we only had .303 rifles. After receiving automatic weapons, our confidence has increased, and we now feel capable of defending our villages.” Thakur also urged that unpaid VDG members receive an honorarium and said that the construction of bunkers has helped ease fear among residents.
Security officials said that strengthening VDGs alongside sustained operations in the higher reaches is part of a multi-layered strategy to deny terrorists any support base and ensure long-term peace in the region.
