Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have intensified counter-terrorism operations across multiple districts following an incident where a Village Defence Guard (VDG) opened fire on a suspected terrorist in Rajouri. The heightened vigilance comes as authorities anticipate attempts by militants to move from higher altitudes to populated areas.
VDG Engages Suspect in Remote Rajouri Village
Late on Tuesday, a Village Defence Guard member fired approximately six rounds into the air after allegedly spotting a terror suspect in Dali village, located in the Kalakote area of Rajouri district. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported from the firing.
A joint team of the Indian Army and local police immediately rushed to the scene and conducted a thorough search operation. However, the search did not yield any suspicious findings or individuals. The incident underscores the active role played by VDGs, who act as the first line of defence in remote and vulnerable villages.
Widespread Security Operations Across Chenab Region
In response to intelligence inputs, a series of coordinated anti-terror operations are currently underway in the upper reaches of the Chenab region. This includes the districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban, with a particular focus on areas bordering Udhampur and Kathua districts.
Similar intensive search operations are also being conducted in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch, as well as in Reasi district. Reasi shares borders with Rajouri-Ramban in the Jammu Division and Kulgam in south Kashmir. Officials stated that security forces are acting on the assessment that terrorists hiding in the non-habituated higher reaches might attempt to enter the mainland. This potential movement is anticipated due to the impending closure of mountain passes, which could cut off their supply lines for essential commodities.
The operations, led by the Army's Rashtriya Rifles and the Jammu & Kashmir Police's Special Operations Group (SOG), have been expanded to cover a large swathe of the Chenab region.
Training VDGs and Drone Sighting
Concurrently, the Army is bolstering grassroots security by enhancing the capabilities of Village Defence Guards. On Tuesday, about 150 VDG members from 17 remote villages along the Doda-Chamba border underwent intensive training. The volunteers, including women, were trained in handling automatic rifles, minor tactics, self-defence, bunker construction, and repelling enemy attacks.
This training session was conducted at Shingini Panchayat in Bhalessa, roughly 90 kilometres from the Doda district headquarters. An official emphasized that the goal is to equip these first responders with vital skills to protect their communities, especially in areas with limited immediate access to security forces.
In a separate incident on Tuesday night, security agencies reported a brief sighting of a suspected Pakistani drone hovering over the Phulpur area near the International Border in Samba district. Police and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel swiftly launched a search to check for any air-dropped payload containing weapons or narcotics. The search, however, did not find any suspicious material on the ground.
