Chenab Valley, Jammu & Kashmir – As winter drives Pakistan-backed terrorists from snowbound high-altitude hideouts into villages and towns of Jammu, a new line of defense is emerging in the form of civilian volunteers, including women, trained to counter insurgent threats.
In Chenab Valley, around 150 villagers, including women, have undergone training in combat and arms handling under the Indian Army’s guidance. The initiative is part of the revamped Village Defence Guards (VDG) scheme, aimed at bolstering security in remote areas and along borders.
The VDG program, an updated version of the earlier Village Defence Committee (VDC) scheme, now mandates that 18–20% of volunteers be women. While recruiting women to take up arms presents challenges, sources report strong enthusiasm among women in Doda district. Trainers are actively encouraging female participation.
The program represents a significant development in J&K’s counterinsurgency efforts. Civilian volunteers are being trained not only in weapons handling but also in bunker construction and psychological operations against terrorists and infiltrators. Forces involved in the initiative include the BSF, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police.
The previous VDC scheme, started in 1995, faced hurdles due to remuneration disputes and was eventually disbanded. Volunteers under that scheme often did not receive equitable payment, leading to legal battles and a collapse of community defense networks.
Under the new VDG model, implemented in December 2022, volunteers receive an honorarium of ₹4,500. Within a month of the program’s relaunch, VDGs reportedly foiled two major terrorist attacks — one in Dessa village, Doda, and another in Ramban.
VDGs are being deployed across Doda, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, and Samba districts, aiming to act as force multipliers in counterinsurgency operations and strengthen local security.