Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu: Around 85 Village Defence Group (VDG) members from remote border villages of Arnia, R S Pura and Kanachak areas are undergoing intensive training in handling automatic rifles, minor tactics, self-defence, bunker construction and repelling enemy attacks at District Police Lines (DPL) Jammu.
The training session was today inaugurated by SSP Jammu Joginder Singh, JKPS at DPL Jammu.
SP Headquarters Jammu, SP Operations Jammu and DySP DAR Jammu also attended the inaugural function.
The villages are located near International Border where apprehensions of infiltration,drone dropping, and tunnelling remain high especially in winters because of foggy weather conditions.
The training programme is being conducted at DPL Jammu by trainers including trainers from SOG Jammu with the objective of equipping VDG’s to safeguard their villages and serve as the first responders in vulnerable areas in case of exigency.
VDG members have welcomed both the training and the recent upgradation of their weaponry.
They also expressed gratitude for allotting self-loading rifles (SLRs), which replaced the older .303 rifles, significantly boosting their confidence.
This is a major programme where 85 VDG members are being trained in weapon handling, bunker construction and self confidence.
The training imparted is instilling a renewed sense of confidence among VDG members.
After receiving automatic weapons,confidence of VDG members has increased, and they now feel more capable of defending their villages.
Speaking on the occasion SSP Jammu appreciated the role of VDG’s in strengthening internal security especially border grind in Jammu District.
He also said that strengthening Village Defence Groups is a part of a multi-layered security strategy aimed at ensuring long-term peace in the region.DD