Two village guards kidnapped, killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: Two village defence guards were killed by unidentified gunmen in the forest area of Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, after they were kidnapped and taken deep into the forests blindfolded. Their bodies were found later.

The two VDGs were identified as Kuldeep Kumar and Nazir Ahmad, both residents of Ohli village of Kuntwara area of Kishtwar, officials said.

The guards went to the forest area for grazing cattle in the morning. A search operation was launched when they didn't return till evening.


The Kashmir Tigers outfit, which officials say is an offshoot of Jaish e Muhammad, in an unverified social media post shared picture of the two bodies and a press release in Urdu saying that the duo was following them in the area. "Two active VDGs Kuldeep Kumar and Nazeer were executed....," read the statement by the terrorist group.

VDGs, formerly known as Village Defence Committees, are a civilian militia first established in the mid-1990s in Chenab Valley of Jammu division to counter the militancy in remote hilly villages along the Line of Control.

The committees were disbanded in mid-2000's and revived in 2022, and have been active in Doda and Kishtwar of Chenab Valley and Rajouri and Poonch of PirPanchal Valley. There are 4,125 VDGs in J&K as of now.

Meanwhile, the Army has launched an operation in Panipora area of Sopore in northern Kashmir, following a specific input regarding presence of gunmen

"Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. Own troops effectively retaliated and operation is in progress," read the Army statement.

Omar condemns killings

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Thursday condemned the killing of two village defence guards in Kishtwar district.

In a post on X, JKNC said, "JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and VP & Chief Minister @OmarAbdullah have condemned the gruesome killing of two village defence guards in Kishtwar namely Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, in a forest area."

"They have said that such acts of barbaric violence remain a significant impediment in achieving long-lasting peace in J&K. In this hour of grief, their thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased," read the post.