Archive · 14 Aug 2026
VDC member killed, another injured in Udhampur firing
In a part of India called Jammu and Kashmir, some villagers work together in a group called a Village Defence Committee, or VDC, to help keep their villages safe.
One morning, men from this group were travelling together when a fight broke out.
During the argument, one of the men shot the other two with a gun.
One man, Baldev Singh, died from his wounds.
The other man, Romesh Singh, was badly hurt.
The person who shot them is also a member of the same village defence group.
Police know about the shooting and are investigating what happened.
The group was formed in the 1990s and is now officially called Village Defence Guards.
It is made up of local volunteers, ex-servicemen, and ex-policemen who get small monthly payments for their work.
No one knows yet exactly why the argument happened.
A Village Defence Committee (VDC) member was killed and another seriously injured when a fellow VDC member opened fire in the Moungri area of Udhampur district on Friday morning.
The incident occurred while the men were travelling towards Damnot Police Post, after an argument reportedly broke out.
The deceased was identified as Baldev Singh, son of Karta Singh, and the injured as Romesh Singh, son of Nak Ram.
Officials said all persons involved are VDC members, and police have taken cognisance of the incident with an investigation underway.
VDCs, civilian security groups formed in 1995 and now officially renamed Village Defence Guards (VDGs) by the Ministry of Home Affairs, operate in remote, hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir to counter militant attacks.
- Who
- Baldev Singh (killed) and Romesh Singh (injured), both Village Defence Committee members; the accused is also a fellow VDC member.
- What
- A VDC member opened fire on two colleagues during an argument, killing one and seriously injuring the other.
- When
- Friday morning.
- Where
- Moungri area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, while the men were travelling towards Damnot Police Post.
- Why
- An argument reportedly broke out during the journey, after which the accused opened fire.
- Deceased
- Baldev Singh, son of Karta Singh
- Injured
- Romesh Singh, son of Nak Ram
- Accused
- A fellow VDC member (name not disclosed)
- Location
- Moungri area, Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir
- Time
- Friday morning, en route to Damnot Police Post
- Investigation
- Police have taken cognisance; investigation is underway
- VDC Honorarium
- Group leaders Rs 4,500 per month; regular members Rs 4,000 per month
- Context
- VDCs formed in 1995; formally notified as Village Defence Guards by the Ministry of Home Affairs