Gujjar-Bakarwals, the tribals and traditional guardians of the borderlands in Jammu and Kashmir, are facing a difficult situation. The problem isn't just about external threats but a dangerous lack of trust at home. With these communities facing assault at various points, the trust deficit between them and the security forces is growing. The alleged killing of 21-year-old Mohammad Parvez exposes this dangerous rift. 

While police claim he was caught in a crossfire, his family and community insist he was an innocent civilian. This incident, alongside the Pahalgam massacre, highlights a persistent crisis of human intelligence where crucial local information may have helped security forces neutralise threats in successful operations, like Kokernag, but the breakdown of trust has left a dangerous void, raising concerns that borders could be left open to infiltration and escalated violence

This divide is deepened by repeated allegations of fake encounters, custodial deaths and incidents like the alleged assault on Gujjar men in Daghwan and the Poonch deaths. Such events do more than just strain relationships; they critically disrupt the intelligence networks. 

Fear and alienation silenced residents after the Pahalgam attack, preventing information from being shared that might have averted the tragedy. This alienation is also fueled by government policies. While the revocation of Article 370 had raised hopes for land rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, a reply in the Lok Sabha reveals that 39,924 out of the 46,090 claims filed by May 2025 were rejected. 

This has shattered hopes and severely impacted their traditional nomadic lifestyle by restricting access to their grazing lands, creating a profound sense of injustice.

From historical neglect to strategic partnership

Historically, these tribal communities, making up over 11% of Jammu and Kashmir's population, have been indispensable security partners. Their deep knowledge of the rugged terrain and historic loyalty to the Indian Army, as noted by former Army commander Lt. Gen. Deependra Singh Hooda, have been a key reason for the rollback of insurgency. The alliance is exemplified by individuals like Rukhsana Kausar (a Gujjar woman), who courageously shot down a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant in 2009, and their crucial intelligence during operations like Sarp Vinash, which contributed to the elimination of 78 terrorists.

Yet, this vital partnership is under threat. Decades of conflict have deeply disrupted their traditional lives, forcing over 39% of Gujjar-Bakarwals to abandon their nomadic ways due to violence and restrictive policies. Dwindling herds, closed forest lands, and acute fodder shortages have pushed them into less stable livelihoods. A lack of reliable communication further increases their vulnerability to both security threats and natural disasters, while also impeding their ability to provide effective intelligence. 

This growing climate of suspicion, fueled by incidents like Parvez’s killing and the persistent infrastructure deficits, has severely strained this trust, leaving a dangerous gap in intelligence and border security, even as the Prime Minister’s initiative to reframe border villages as “first villages” and launch the Vibrant Villages Programme offers a glimmer of hope.

A path to rebuilding trust and strategic partnership

To reverse this dangerous trend, a multi-faceted approach linking development with accountability is essential. The government’s Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP), launched in 2023 with a budget of nearly Rs 6,839 crore and expanded to Jammu and Kashmir in 2025, offers a promising path by targeting critical needs in healthcare, education and digital access. 

As seen in states like Arunachal Pradesh, such investment can empower communities and better integrate them into national security frameworks. But building infrastructure alone is not enough.

Genuine security demands a holistic approach to rebuild trust, beginning with strengthening accountability for abuses, establishing independent grievance mechanisms and implementing culturally sensitive training for troops. 

To secure our borders, we must strategically resettle tribal communities in border villages, offering them incentives and jobs under the Vibrant Villages Programme while honoring their rights under the Forest Rights Act. This is a critical step toward a relationship where residents feel protected, not fearful. 

By protecting those who assist with intelligence gathering, we can create a formidable and reliable human shield against external threats, transforming a community in crisis into a strategic partner and securing our borders from within.

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