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More than a week after a major terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri, authorities on Monday handed over self-loading rifles (SLRs) to the ex-servicemen acting as village defence guards (VDGs) in Dhangri village, officials said.

This is for the first time that the VDGs, who were earlier known as Village Defence Committee (VDC) members, were given sophisticated rifles anywhere in the Jammu region, where they play a pivotal role in rooting out terrorism by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with police and other security agencies.

Earlier, the VDCs were only equipped with .303 rifles. There were demands for replacing the outdated rifles with sophisticated weapons to tackle the threat of terrorism more effectively.

Seven people, including two children, were killed and 14 injured when the terrorists attacked the village earlier this month.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police held a special camp in Dhangri on Monday. It was attended by Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal and Senior Superintendent of Police Mohammad Aslam, among others.

Around 40 ex-servicemen living in the area and identified by a panchayat-level committee were given SLRs along with 100 bullets each at the camp, the officials said, adding that most of these ex-servicemen had served in the Army and volunteered themselves to act as VDGs.

“We are thankful to the district administration for giving us the SLRs, which have a better firing range, and giving us an opportunity to serve as VDGs,” ex-serviceman Roshan Lal said.

He said all the VDGs, especially the ex-servicemen, are ready to work in coordination with the security forces to counter terrorists.
Sarpanch of Dhangri Dheeraj Sharma thanked Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration for fulfilling their demand.

He said during his visit to the village after the terror attack, Sinha had promised to provide new weapons.
“Our demand is fulfilled…. Although the number of weapons is less than what was projected, we are still thankful. We expect that more weapons will be provided in the coming times,” Sharma said.

Meanwhile, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will provide weapons training to village defence committee guards or VDCs in Jammu and Kashmir so that they are able to better counter a terrorist attack.
The “final contours” of the training schedule, variety of arms to be included and number of participants will be decided in due course of time, they said.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has recently started reissuing weapons to village defence guards (VDGs), earlier known as village defence committees (VDCs), following the Dhangri incident in Rajouri district in which seven people were killed. The VDGs comprise local village volunteers.

“The CRPF will provide weapons training to the village defence guards so that they can act as a line of defence in case of a terrorist attack. The modalities of this new proposal are still being planned,” a senior CRPF officer said.

Village Defense Guards (VDGs), made up of local volunteers, have been asked to remain vigilant in view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations amid fears that terrorists may disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in this region, officials said on Monday.

VDGs have also been activated along the International Border (IB) in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts, they said.
The development comes following the twin terror attacks in Dhangri village in Rajouri district in which seven people, including two children, were killed and 11 others injured last week.

The VDGs were directed to remain on high alert in view of the forthcoming Republic Day as there are apprehensions of vitiation of the peaceful atmosphere by anti-national elements, the officials said.

They said the VDGs have been activated in many areas of the Jammu region and fresh weapons and ammunition have been provided to them.
In a briefing session in Kishtwar district, VDGs were directed to ensure surveillance and domination in their respective areas by way of patrolling in consultation and coordination with special police pickets, the officials said.

They were asked to ensure that the areas remain peaceful and effectively thwart the evil designs of anti-social and anti-national elements, the officials added.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has started reissuing weapons to the VDGs, earlier known as Village Defence Committees (VDCs), following the Dhangri incident.