BSF Trains And Arms Village Defence Guards With Semi-Automatic Rifles In J&K Ahead Of Amarnath Yatra: Report

BSF is training and arming village defence guards (VDG) with semi-automatic self-loading rifles (SLRs) along the Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Amarnath Yatra to tackle possible terror activities, the Hindustan Times reported.

The BSF initiated phased training for VDGs a week ago along the 200 km stretch of the Pakistan border. 

BSF Jammu Sector DIG Sukhminder Singh Mand announced that the force has initiated a new training program for VDG members near the international border in the Ramgarh sector of Samba.

He further said that as part of this initiative, over 30 local youth are being trained in weapon handling and surveillance to support the BSF in patrolling and securing the border, particularly in preparation for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

Training sessions are currently underway in the RS Pura sector and Arnia in Akhnoor. The next phase will cover Rajouri and Poonch districts.

“Our training is based on weapon drills, night patrols, swift communication with BSF posts and emergency response to any contingency,” said a BSF officer, as quoted by HT. 

He further emphasised the role of Village Defence Guards (VDGs), describing them as the "eyes, ears and arms" of the forces. According to him, VDGs play a significant role in counter-terror operations and help maintain vigilance against inimical elements.

The move comes after the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor on 7 May targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

Earlier, most of the 6,000 VDGs in Jammu and Kashmir were armed with outdated 303 rifles. After the 2023 Dhangri attack that killed seven civilians, some VDGs received upgraded weapons.

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