A Village Defence Committee (VDC) member was shot dead and another seriously injured on Friday, 14 August, after a fellow member allegedly opened fire during a journey in the Moungri area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The incident marks a rare case of intra-unit violence within the civilian security network that guards remote communities across J&K.

How the Incident Unfolded

The three individuals were travelling together towards Damnot Police Post in the morning when an argument reportedly broke out among them. The accused, also a VDC member, allegedly opened fire at his colleagues during the altercation. Baldev Singh, son of Karta Singh, was killed in the shooting. Romesh Singh, son of Nak Ram, sustained serious injuries and was reportedly taken for medical treatment.

'All the persons involved in the incident are members of the VDC,' an official confirmed, adding that police have taken cognisance of the matter and an investigation is currently underway.

What the VDC Network Is

Village Defence Committees — now officially redesignated as Village Defence Guards (VDGs) by the Ministry of Home Affairs — are armed civilian security groups established in the mid-1990s across remote, hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Formed initially in 1995 under a state government scheme, the units were created to provide local self-defence capabilities against militant attacks in far-flung regions.

Members include local volunteers, ex-servicemen, and ex-policemen, and are typically provided with .303 or modern rifles along with ammunition by the police. The groups function under the direct operational supervision of the local district Superintendent of Police (SP/SSP). Designated group leaders receive an honorarium of ₹4,500 per month, while regular members receive ₹4,000 per month.

Significance and Concerns

The VDC-VDG network has long been credited with strengthening the security grid in vulnerable border and hilly areas of J&K, acting as a first line of defence against infiltration and targeted attacks. However, arming civilian volunteers has periodically raised concerns about oversight and accountability, particularly in cases involving misuse of issued weapons.

This incident in Udhampur — where state-issued firearms were allegedly turned on fellow members — is likely to prompt a review of protocols governing armed VDG personnel, critics argue. Udhampur district has historically been an active zone for security operations given its proximity to key infiltration routes.

Investigation Under Way

Police have registered the case and launched a formal investigation. The accused VDC member's identity has not been officially disclosed pending further proceedings. Authorities have not yet indicated whether the weapon used was a service-issued firearm. The matter falls under the jurisdiction of local police supervised by the district SSP, Udhampur.

With the incident occurring on the eve of Independence Day, security forces across J&K were already on heightened alert, adding a further layer of sensitivity to the episode.