In a tragic incident on Thursday, two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) were killed by terrorists in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. The victims, identified as Nazir Ahmed, son of Mohammad Khalil, and Kuldeep Kumar, son of Amar Chand, both residents of Ohli Kuntwara village, were abducted and executed by militants in the upper reaches of Kuntwara, sources reported.
The Kashmir Tigers, an offshoot of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist outfit, claimed responsibility for the killings. According to the group, the two VDGs were chasing militants in the dense forests of Kishtwar when they were captured. A purported letter from the Kashmir Tigers, shared alongside a photograph of the victims, outlined the group’s version of events. The letter claimed that after the VDGs were caught, they “confessed to all crimes” before being executed by the militants.
In the letter, the terrorists issued a warning to villagers considering joining the VDGs, urging them not to do so, citing the fate of the two men as a lesson. The letter further stated, “We have not killed any common Hindu till date. We are fighting against the Indian Army. However, some ignorant people are joining the VDGs and becoming tools for the Army. They should take a lesson from today’s incident.”
The killing of these VDG members highlights the increasing violence in Jammu and Kashmir, which has seen a rise in terror attacks this year. An intelligence report corroborated the incident, confirming that Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar had gone to Munzla Dhar for grazing their cattle earlier in the day but failed to return. Their bodies were later discovered in the jungle.
The VDGs, which were initially set up in the 1990s in the Chenab Valley as part of a counter-terrorism initiative, play a critical role in safeguarding villages from terrorist attacks, particularly in rural and remote areas. However, these volunteer groups have been targeted by militant organizations who view them as collaborators with Indian security forces.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have yet to officially confirm the details of the incident, but local authorities and intelligence sources have validated the reports. The killings further underscore the ongoing challenges in the region, as authorities continue to grapple with escalating violence and the safety of civilian volunteers involved in the anti-terrorism effort.
Sources By Agencies
