Village watchman, wife died of bullet injuries in Jammu’s Reasi

A Village Defense Guard (VDG) and his wife died of gunshot injuries in Jammu’s Reasi district on Monday (November 2, 2026). The victims were identified as Javed Ahmed, a resident of Brailkund, Manjikote, Bagodass, and his wife Shaheen Akhter.

Also read | Village guard member killed in gunfight with militants in Jammu’s Udhampur: Police

Initial reports indicated that the bullets were fired from a type of service weapon provided by the government to the VDG, which are civilians armed to defend villages against terrorists. A team from Chassana police station inspected the spot. Police have not yet released details of the incident.

This is the third such incident in the last two years in the Jammu region. A woman was left dead in Chatroo area of ​​Kishtwar after VDG opened fire in 2025. In 2024, terrorists kidnapped and killed two VDGs in Kishtwar. One civilian was killed and another wounded when fired from a VDG-provided service rifle in August 2026.

In 1995, Village Defense Committees were established in 10 districts of the Jammu region. They were later disbanded. However, after the 2023 Dangri attack in Rajouri, which left six civilians dead and 15 others injured, the Center revived these groups and renamed them VDG. Before 2006, around 26,567 locals were recruited into Village Defense Committees in the Jammu region. According to official figures, 160 criminal cases have been filed in the Jammu region against members of the Village Defense Committee.

Army porter injured

Meanwhile, an army porter accidentally stepped on an anti-personnel landmine near the Line of Control (LoC) and was injured in Rajouri district.

The person has been identified as Krishan Lal, a resident of Langar village. The incident took place in Nowshera sector at 11.30 am near the forward post near the arrival point. The blast hit the victim’s leg, officials said.

Published – 02 Nov 2026 22:53 IST