CRPF's first women batch joins elite anti-Naxal CoBRA unit

New Delhi: Yet an another milestone for women warriors of the country’s largest Central Armed Police Force, the CRPF, breaking the glass ceiling has joined the elite anti-Naxal-CoBRA wing on Saturday.

These women joining this specialised unit will undergo a strenuous CoBRA pre-induction training of three months which will reinforce their physical capabilities and tactical acumen by imparting next level training in firing and special weapons, tactical planning, field craft, explosives, jungle survival skills.

The induction of 34 Women personnel from the Sixth Mahila Battalions to this specialised counter insurgency unit was made on 35th Raising Day celebrations of 88th Mahila Battalion on Saturday.

A senior official of the Force said that after the completion of their training, they will be posted in the Maoist affected areas alongside their male counterparts.

According to the CRPF, on the occasion of the 88th all-women battalion Raising Day, these women commandos have been inducted along with the introduction of all Mahila brass band which will make CRPF the first force to have a women brass band.

"Mahila personnel of CRPF forming the first all-women brass band will also undergo a training course to acquire the requisite skills on the musical instruments. It deserves pertinent to mention that the force already has an all-women pipe band," the CRPF said in a release.The 88th Mahila Battalion of CRPF has the distinction of being the first all Mahila battalion in the world.

Speaking at the occasion, the CRPF DG Dr AP Maheshwari said, “The Force has a history of empowered women warriors who have not just brought laurels to the force but have also made the country proud by conspicuous gallantry both at home in India and abroad in several UN peacekeeping missions”.

He also said that while this gender neutrality adds to the diversity of the force, empowered women make an empowered family which eventually empowers the nation.Raised on February 5, 1986, the 88th Mahila battalion has completed 34 glorious and eventful years in the service of the nation.

The battalion has served across the length and breadth of the country and abroad in the UN peacekeeping missions. Seven brave-hearts of the battalion have made supreme sacrifice at the altar of duty while the women warriors of this battalion have been the proud recipients of several gallantry medals including the highest peacetime gallantry award-‘the Ashok Chakra’.(UNI)