NVI Correspondent
Jammu, Sep 1 (NVI): In a bid to strengthen the Village Defence Guards (VDG) further to combat terrorism effectively in Jammu region, the Guards have been now laced with automatic weapons and other facilities.
Reliable sources in the security grid told NVI that that over 200 SLR riffles have been distributed to VDG members in Jammu while as 400 new members have been added for the hinterland security.
They said that Ministry of Home Affairs recently approved automatic weapons to VDGs in Jammu region especially in Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua and Reasi districts where terror incidents showed a spike of late.
J&K DGP RR Swain has been maintaining that the VDGs are the first line of defence while tackling terror and terrorists in Jammu region.
Jammu saw spike in terror related incidents with terrorists, believed to be foreigners operating in the woods of Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Reasi and Doda districts carrying out calibrated attacks on the security forces in a bid to inflict maximum damage. As per the official figures, 43 soldiers were killed in a spate of attacks by foreign terrorists in Jammu region in the past three years.
Sources in the MHA told NVI that there was a demand from the VDGs that they should be empowered further and their weapons should be upgraded. “Union Home Minister Amit Shah was keen to ensure the empowerment of VDGs in Jammu to ensure terrorists are dealt with iron hands.
Earlier, VDGs were allotted simple riffles but the new weapons will raise their morale and help them fight terrorism more effectively,” sources said, adding that as a first line of defence, laced with the new weapons, VDGs will now be able to foil terror plots aimed at targeting innocent civilians within villages.
“It has been seen terrorists target innocent civilians while searching for food and other edibles before hiding back into the forests. They won’t dare to come close to villages in presence of VDGs,” sources said, adding that the security forces are providing special training to VDGs. (News Vibes of India)
