Suspected militants kill two Village Defense Guards in Kishtwar

KISHTWAR — Two Village Defense Guards (VDG) were reportedly killed by suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.

An unnamed official, quoted by the news agency KNO, said that two VDGs identified as Nazir Ahmad, son of Muhammad Khalil and Kuldeep Kumar, son of Amar Chand — both residents of Ohli, Kuntwara have been killed by the militants in Kishtwar.

The official said that the duo would always go to Munzla Dhar (Adhwari) to graze their cattle but on Thursday, they didn’t return.

As per the sources, the bodies haven’t been recovered yet even as a massive search operation has been launched by the security forces.

It is in place to mention here that the fresh attack comes at a time when J&K is witnessing a spurt in attacks on non-J&K workforce and frequent encounters between militants and security forces.

Meanwhile, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the killing of the two VDGs.

The leaders said that such acts of barbaric violence remain a significant impediment to achieving long-lasting peace in J&K. “In this hour of grief, their thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased,” the NC said in a statement written on X.