The Border Security Force (BSF) has launched a training program for Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in frontier areas of Jammu region.
The program focusses on training VDGS to handle weapons, prepare them for tactical response, and situational awareness to tackle terrorist threats.
The Village Defence Guards, formerly known as Village Defence Committees (VDCs), were established in the mid-1990s to protect vulnerable communities in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in remote hilly areas, against terrorism. However, in 2016 a political government in J&K allowed these committees to wither into irrelevance, becoming toothless tigers due to neglect, lack of support, and political apathy.
The of VDGS were revived by the Union Home Ministry in 2022. Each VDG unit, typically consisting of 10-15 members, is led by a Special Police Officer (SPO) or ex-serviceman and operates under the district’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).
The VDGs are vital for securing hinterlands, countering drone threats, and supporting events like the Amarnath Yatra, reinforcing India’s border security strategy.
The VDGs are critical as a “second line of defence,” leveraging local knowledge to detect and deter infiltrations, especially in remote areas of Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, and Jammu.
Equipped with modern rifles VDGs enhance security by relaying intelligence and holding ground until security forces arrive.
The VDGs have an important role to play in the present scenario as they have to act as ears and eyes of the security forces.
Their role in far-flung areas where real-time intelligence is often difficult to obtain is very important. Their ability to detect unusual movements, monitor infiltration routes, and hold ground until reinforcements arrive makes them indispensable. In effect, they serve as force multipliers in a terrain where rapid deployment of central forces is a logistical challenge.
After “Operation Sindoor” a strong message has been sent to Pakistan that any terror attack will be considered as an act of war against India.
Besides keeping a vigil in the areas along LoC and the International Border, the VDGs have to ensure that they are able to neutralize any threat posed by the terrorists.
The VDGs in the present scenario have to stay mission-focused, vigilant, and committed to community safety. Their cooperation with security forces should remain seamless and prompt. While state and central governments must ensure that these guards receive continuous training, fair compensation, and institutional support, the local communities must also rally behind them to foil the designs of an enemy.
The revival and reinforcement of VDGs underlines a simple but powerful truth: national security begins in the village. With BSF’s guidance and government backing, VDGs can once again stand tall as the unsung sentinels of the nation, protecting their homes, their people, and by extension, the sovereignty of India. |
