Jammu: A civilian narrowly escaped injury when the Village Defense Guard (VDG), a local militia reportedly backed by the Indian army, opened fire in the Meira area of Rajouri district in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has raised significant concerns over the operations of such squads in the region.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the shooting occurred under circumstances described by Indian officials as a response to what VDG members believed was suspicious activity. Despite these claims, the individual targeted was confirmed to be an innocent civilian who fortunately did not sustain any injuries.
Following the shooting, Indian security forces initiated a cordon and search operation within the area to investigate further. This development comes amid heightened tensions and scrutiny of the role of local defense groups in the region.