J&K village guards missing; search launched after photos of bodies circulated
There has been a string of attacks in the region after the first elected government since the revocation of the Constitution’s Article 370 in 2019 was sworn in on October 16
Search Underway for Missing VDG Members in Jammu & Kashmir Amid Rising Terror Attacks
Two civilian members of Village Defence Guards went missing in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir. Police and army launched a search after body photos circulated on social media.
VDGs, previously called Village Defence Committees, form part of the anti-terrorism mechanism established in the mid-1990s in J&K’s Chenab Valley to defend villages against terrorists. VDGs include civilians and police officers. There are 4,125 VDGs currently. The army trains them in weapons handling and intelligence-gathering skills.
Kashmir Tigers, an offshoot of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad, claimed to have killed VDGs Kuldeep Kumar and Nazeer Ahmed on Thursday and circulated the photographs of their bodies with a letter.
The letter on the Kashmir Tigers letterhead warned people against becoming VDGs. It claimed their record is clear and that they have not killed a common Hindu to date. “We are fighting against the Indian Army. Some ignorant people are joining the VDGs and becoming tools in the army. Such people should learn from today’s incident and not be part of VDGs.
Political Leaders Condemn Killings as Security Situation Deteriorates in Jammu & Kashmir Amid Rising Terror Attacks
J&K Police cited the photographs of the bodies claimed to be those of Ahmed and Kumar on social media and added the families of the two confirmed their identities. “…a joint search operation by police and army is underway. Updates to follow.”
An intelligence report confirmed the killings. “Two village defence guards were killed by terrorists in [the] Kuntwara area of Kishtwar…,” said the report, a copy of which HT has seen.
Ruling National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah and chief minister Omar Abdullah condemned the purported killings, saying such acts of barbaric violence remain a significant impediment to achieving long-lasting peace. “In this hour of grief, their thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased,” NC said on X.
Congress, which is part of the region’s ruling coalition, said such incidents are intolerable and indicate a bad security situation. It sought firm action.
Sanatan Dharam Sabha Kishtwar, a local religious organisation, has given a bandh call in the Kishtwar district on Friday.
A string of attacks has occurred since the first elected government took office following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. On October 24, terrorists ambushed an army convoy in Baramulla district, killing two soldiers and two civilian porters. Four days earlier, terrorists opened fire on a construction site camp in Ganderbal district, killing seven people.
