Image for illustration purposes only. | Photo credit: File
Amid heightened focus on terrorist activity in Jammu’s Chenab Valley, the Army on Wednesday (Dec 31, 2025) imparted step-by-step training to local civilians who had volunteered to work as Village Defense Guards (VDGs) to counter potential terror attacks.
Officials said 17 remote villages located in the hilly Bhalessa region of Doda district, at an altitude of around 7,705 feet, are included in the training programme. The villagers are trained in the use of high-caliber and self-loading rifles. The scores of men and women registered as VDG in the district.
“Earlier the movement of terrorists would have instilled fear in us. The ongoing training programs of the army this month in rifle handling will go a long way in dispelling the fear and enable us to face these terrorists,” said a resident of Bhalessa.
Over the past week, the army has trained around 150 local villagers, including women, in handling automatic rifles. Officials said the VDGs also received basic training in self-defense and in taking up positions inside bunkers. They were additionally trained in forest and mountain combat techniques.
The latest round of training comes at a time of increased interest in the terror movement in the Chenab Valley, which includes Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts. Doda areas near Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh have also been covered, officials said.
“Significant steps have been taken this year to ensure that no terrorist incidents take place in Doda. Operational bases have been set up at various locations on mountain tops and rugged terrain where our personnel have been continuously deployed for the past eight months and endured harsh winter conditions,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Mehta.
Meanwhile, an anti-terrorist operation is still underway in the adjoining district of Udhampur, where a constable was killed in an encounter with terrorists on December 15.
“Security forces have launched a search to eliminate Pakistani terrorists hiding in the region. A joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and CRPF is going on for the last 15 days,” Udhampur Superintendent of Police Amod Ashok Nagpure said.
Published – 31 Dec 2025 21:31 IST
