By The Sampadak Express
In a significant push to bolster grassroots security in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army and Border Security Force (BSF) have ramped up training efforts for Village Defence Guards (VDGs) across the border areas of the Jammu region.
Strategic Initiative Ahead of Amarnath Yatra
The move is part of a broader multi-agency strategy to secure the region ahead of the 2025 Amarnath Yatra, which begins on July 3. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to be the most heavily guarded to date, with over 42,000 paramilitary personnel deployed to ensure safety amid heightened cross-border threats.
Empowering Border Communities
The VDG program, designed to empower civilians as a “second line of defence,” has seen an uptick in training sessions, especially in border villages vulnerable to infiltration and terrorist activities. In the last ten days alone, over a dozen training programs have been conducted across border tehsils including Samba, Kathua, RS Pura, Arnia, Akhnoor, Sunderbani, and Rajouri.
These sessions focus on arms handling, situational awareness, and quick-response tactics to potential threats.
Response to Operation Sindoor
The intensified training follows Operation Sindoor, a counter-terror initiative launched on May 7, 2025, in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives. A senior BSF official confirmed that the success of Operation Sindoor has encouraged a deeper focus on community-based security measures.“
VDGs are playing a pivotal role in the hinterlands. Extending their role to border areas will help tighten control over suspicious movements,” the official noted.
Live Firing and Tactical Drills
From May 29, a three-day training exercise was conducted in Samba’s border villages, including Galar, Chak Faquira, Khanpur, and Suchetpur. BSF personnel led live firing drills, tactical movement exercises, and response simulations to prepare VDGs for real-time situations.
On June 4, the Indian Army conducted another major training event for 100 VDGs at the Police Firing Range in Sunjuwan, Jammu. This session emphasized operational confidence and synergy between security forces and local communities.
Growing Community Involvement
Originally revived in 2022 after a two-decade gap, the VDG program has gained momentum due to rising terrorist threats. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, in collaboration with the Indian Army and BSF, are equipping VDGs with semi-automatic and modern weaponry in districts such as Rajouri, Poonch, and Kishtwar.
After the 2023 Dhangri civilian attack in Rajouri, semi-automatic weapons were distributed to VDGs for self-defence. Recent training by the BSF has expanded their capabilities to include handling of modern arms to combat increasingly sophisticated threats.
Building Trust and Confidence
Lieutenant Colonel Suneel Bartwal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence in Jammu, highlighted the significance of the program:
“This initiative is designed to create a reliable support structure for our forces in sensitive zones. The training not only enhances the capabilities of VDGs but also deepens their partnership with the Army and BSF.”
Public Support and Challenges
Local residents have welcomed the initiative, expressing gratitude for the added security measures. Border villagers often the first line of vulnerability during shelling or infiltration view the VDGs as vital to community protection.
Despite the positive reception, challenges persist. These include maintaining seamless coordination between VDGs and security forces and ensuring the safety of civilian volunteers in high-risk engagements.
