On June 11, the Jammu and Kashmir-based media outlet Kashmir Media Services published a controversial report alleging that the Border Security Force (BSF) conducted a special training programme for Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in Samba and other border districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The outlet referred to India’s sovereign territory as “Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir” and claimed that the BSF is training VDGs to target pro-freedom Kashmiri Muslim civilians. Such a statement is inflammatory and reeks of anti-national intent and veiled hostility.
Kashmir Media Services claimed in it’s article, “India’s paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday conducted a special training programme for Village Defence Guards (VDGs), notorious for killing pro-freedom Kashmiri Muslim civilians, in Samba and other border districts of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
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To verify the claims, we began our fact-checking process by examining relevant media reports pertaining to the issue. We came across a report published on June 10, 2025, by another Jammu and Kashmir-based newspaper named Rising Kashmir, which provides a factual account of the situation. According to the report, ahead of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, the Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified its training efforts for Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in the Arnia sector along the International Border in Jammu. This heightened preparedness follows intelligence alerts indicating renewed terrorist activity across the border in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The BSF, in collaboration with other security agencies, is conducting rigorous tactical and surveillance training sessions aimed at enhancing the VDGs’ ability to thwart cross-border infiltration and respond effectively to any potential militant threats. A senior BSF official, speaking to Rising Kashmir, affirmed that in the wake of Operation Sindoor, security forces are operating on high alert. He confirmed that several launch pads across the border have once again become active.
“The VDGs are our eyes and ears on the ground. We are training them in advanced surveillance techniques, weapons handling, and coordinated response strategies to counter infiltration attempts,” the official stated.
This initiative forms part of a broader security augmentation plan in the region, particularly in light of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra—a sacred pilgrimage that draws thousands of devotees from across the country and has historically been a target for terrorist groups. Many VDG members involved in the training were also active during the turbulent 1990s, when the region was grappling with peak insurgency, and are now stepping forward once again to defend their homeland.
The training regimen includes modules on combat readiness, such as weapon drills, night patrol exercises, communication coordination with BSF units, and emergency response protocols. Operation Sindoor, conducted last month, was a major retaliatory action by Indian security forces in response to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. As the Amarnath Yatra draws near, authorities are expected to further enhance aerial surveillance, intelligence coordination, and ground-level deployment. Notably, night patrolling along sensitive stretches has already been intensified.
In conclusion, the BSF’s training programme for VDGs is a strategic security measure aimed at countering the very real threat posed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The purpose is not, as falsely claimed, to target Kashmiri Muslims, but to ensure the safety of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and uphold peace in the region.
| Claim | The Border Security Force (BSF) is training Village Defence Guards (VDGs) to kill Kashmiri Muslims. |
| Claimed by | Kashmir Media Services |
| Fact Check | This claim is false. The BSF is conducting training sessions for VDGs ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage that Pakistan-based terrorist groups have frequently targeted. The training aims to enhance the preparedness of local defense units to counter cross-border terrorism and ensure the safety of pilgrims and residents. It is not intended to target any religious or ethnic community. |
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