A village defence guard (VDG) was wounded in a firing incident in a remote village in Udhampur district, Officials said Sunday.
As per a news agency, the firing was reported from Panara village of Basantgarh when a patrolling party of VDGs confronted some suspiciously moving persons, believed to be terrorists, in a forest area.
Reports said around 7.30 am, patrolling party consisting of a VDC members and SPO’s of Police-post Sang, Basantgarh noticed some suspicious activity Dhau area of Seri Gallah-Basantgarh, Udhampur. Unknown number of terrorists hiding in a Dhok, who opened fire on the patrolling party.
Reportedly, a VDC member namely Mohd Sharief resident of Khaned received gunshot wound injuries. However, terrorists have likely fled from the area after the incident, sources said
Reinforcements have been rushed to the area and further details are awaited.
Village Defence Guards (VDGs) formerly known as Village Defence Committees is a civilian militia first established in the mid-1990s in the Chenab Valley area of Jammu and Kashmir for the self-defence of locals, especially Hindus, in remote hilly villages against terrrorism. It consist of villagers as well as police officers.
On 15 August 2022, Government of Jammu and Kashmir accorded sanction to the creation of the VDG. VDG members are paid a monthly remuneration of 4,000-4,500 Indian rupees (US$48-$54).
The Pir Panjal region – Rajouri and Poonch – were free from terrorism since 2003 but major attacks have resumed since October 2021. In the last seven months of 2021, 20 soldiers, including officers and commandos, were killed.
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