Terrorists Kill Two Village Defence Guards in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar, Sparking Security Concerns

In the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists killed two village defense guards (VDGs) on Thursday. The deceased, Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar, both belonged to Ohli Kuntwara village. Official sources say the two men were blindfolded, abducted, and killed in the upper forest areas of Kuntwara by a group linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit, known as the Kashmir Tigers. Although the Jammu and Kashmir Police have yet to officially confirm the incident, the group reportedly released a photo of the deceased along with a letter in Urdu claiming responsibility.

The letter warned villagers against joining VDGs, alleging the two men had been killed because they pursued terrorists in the forest. It stated that the men admitted to their “crimes” before they were executed. The message also included a warning to others involved with VDGs, advising them to avoid working with the Indian Army to prevent similar fates.

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Village defense groups: protecting villages from terror

Village Defense Groups (VDGs), previously known as Village Defense Committees (VDCs), were created in the 1990s to help counter terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir’s rural areas. These groups, which consist of local villagers and police officers, are trained by the Indian Army in weapon handling and intelligence gathering. There are about 4,125 VDGs in Jammu and Kashmir. With support from the police and Army, VDGs have played a key role in strengthening security in remote areas, especially in regions vulnerable to terrorist activities.