Army holds training capsule for VDC members near LoC

Rajouri, Sept 6: Army held training capsule for Village Defence Committee (VDC) members near LoC in Rajouri.

Govt authorities and security forces are putting in lot of efforts for sharpening the weapon handling and firing skills of Village Defence Committee (VDC) members in order to strengthen this civil militia that play a vital role in Counter Terror front, said officials.

In a fresh initiative, Indian Army conducted a special training capsule for the members living near the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sub division area of Rajouri district wherein these members were also made to aim and fire at designated targets on firing practice grounds.

Village Defence Committee (VDCs) are established in almost every village in border district Rajouri with identified locals having good credentials have been given government weapons. These were established three decades ago to combat terrorism at ground level after which efforts to strengthen the committees have been at regular intervals.

Sharpening the weapon handling and firing skills of these members has always been a priority of forces under which Indian Army’s Jhangar Battalion in Nowshera sub division organised a special training capsule. This training capsule was organised by army at firing practice range near Line of Control (LoC) in the area with trainers of army supervised over the practice session.

A number of VDC members of area participated in the training and sharpened their weapon handling, cleaning and firing skills. Their skills for aiming at designated targets were also strengthened while a detailed guidance of remaining alertness was also imparted among the participants.

The participating VDC members (name withheld) hailed the initiative of army and said that rise in terror incidents have raised requirement for efforts from all aspects to combat the threat and strengthening VDCs is a prime part of this.

They called to conduct these trainings at regular intervals especially in border areas and minorities pickets.