Bhaderwah/Jammu, January 14, 2026 : As harsh winter conditions force many men to migrate outside Jammu and Kashmir in search of livelihood, women Village Defence Guards (VDGs) have stepped forward to safeguard remote and vulnerable villages across the Jammu region, particularly in the Chenab belt.
Equipped with .303 rifles and trained by various security agencies, women VDG members are deployed in difficult terrains and isolated hamlets, often located deep inside forested and hilly areas, Superintendent of Police Bhaderwah Vinod Sharma said.
Training shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts, these women have emerged as a vital pillar of grassroots security, maintaining vigilance against terrorist threats during periods of reduced manpower in villages.
“Their presence has significantly strengthened local security arrangements, especially during winters when many able-bodied men migrate to other states,” the officer said, adding that women’s participation in village defence has a long history in the region.
Recalling a landmark example, Sharma cited Rukhsana Kausar, a Gujjar woman from Upper Kalsi in Rajouri district, who in September 2009 shot dead a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist. Her bravery earned her the Kirti Chakra, the country’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, along with a job in the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
“In the hilly Chenab region, particularly in Doda, harsh winters compel men to migrate to Uttarakhand, Delhi, Mumbai and other places for livelihood. This seasonal migration leaves villages vulnerable, often with only elderly residents behind,” Sharma said.
To address this security vacuum, women have been trained as VDGs and equipped with tactical skills to counter terror threats. “They are equally committed to the security and sovereignty of the nation, and their performance so far has been exceptional,” he added.
Dozens of armed women VDGs can be seen patrolling villages across Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, where they have proven their mettle as a reliable force in countering insurgency and protecting their communities in the absence of male members.
The women actively participate in regular training sessions conducted jointly by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army, often in far-flung villages located in dense forests and high-risk zones.
“We are trained to fight terrorists and all of us are ready to face the enemies of the nation,” said Shivani (21), a woman VDG from Civilli village in Doda’s Gandoh tehsil, which borders Himachal Pradesh.
The Doda region, which witnessed multiple massacres during the peak of militancy in the 1990s, now sees both Hindu and Muslim women serving together in VDGs, reflecting communal harmony and shared responsibility.
“When most men migrate to earn a livelihood, we shoulder the responsibility of keeping our villages safe,” Shivani added.
Political representatives have also lauded the courage of women VDGs. Bhaderwah MLA Daleep Singh Parihar said their contribution has been crucial in maintaining security in remote and hilly areas.
“Women in our region lead extremely tough lives. They venture daily into dense forests to collect firewood and fodder while men migrate for work. In their absence, these brave women joined the Village Defence Groups and have emerged as protectors of their villages,” the BJP legislator said.
Drawing a historical parallel, Parihar added, “They have grown up listening to stories of Rani Lakshmibai. There are hundreds of such fearless women in our hills today.”
