In a significant move to bolster local security in remote areas, the Indian Army has launched specialized guerrilla warfare training for Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. The program, underway in the Bhalessa area of the Chenab Valley as of late December 2025, marks an escalation in efforts to empower civilians as the first line of defence against terrorist threats.
The training involves around 150 VDG members, including women volunteers, drawn from 17 remote villages in the region. The curriculum is designed to equip participants with practical skills tailored to the challenging hilly terrain, which has long been vulnerable to infiltration and militant activity. Key components include basic guerrilla tactics, handling of automatic weapons, ambush and counter-ambush techniques, self-defence, bunker construction, surveillance, night vigilance, and rapid response drills.
This initiative comes amid sustained counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, where security forces continue to neutralise threats in higher reaches. The VDGs, previously known as Village Defence Committees, are civilian militias supported by the government. They are provided arms and training to protect isolated villages that are often difficult for regular forces to reach quickly.
Participants have expressed strong support for the program. Many have highlighted the recent upgrade of their weaponry—from outdated .303 rifles to modern automatic rifles—as a major boost to their confidence and effectiveness. Locals describe the training as a vital step in enabling communities to safeguard themselves while complementing the efforts of the armed forces.
The concept of VDGs dates back to the 1990s, when they were first formed to counter militancy in rural areas. Over the years, the program has evolved, with periodic training sessions. However, the current batch stands out for its explicit emphasis on guerrilla warfare techniques, reflecting the changing nature of security challenges in the region.
Mainstream Indian media outlets have portrayed the development as a proactive and empowering measure that strengthens grassroots defence capabilities. In contrast, some commentators from pro-Pakistan perspectives or Kashmir-focused platforms have raised concerns, describing it as further militarisation of civilian life and warning of potential risks such as escalation of tensions or misuse of authority.
As Jammu and Kashmir continues its transition following the 2019 reorganisation and ongoing efforts to restore normalcy, initiatives like this underscore the multi-layered approach to security: combining professional military operations with community-based resilience. The success of such programs will likely be measured by their ability to enhance safety without compromising the broader goal of lasting peace in the region.
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