Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 1: After being posted along the Line of Control (LoC), the women soldiers of the Indian Army have now been deployed in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir where they are assisting their male colleagues in various operations to ensure peace.
With their deployment, the district’s Kangan area is witnessing a sea-change in the routine military activities with the introduction of the elite Assam Rifles’ Riflewomen forming an integral part of the 34-Assam Rifles.
The Riflewomen of the Assam Rifles are currently assisting their male colleagues in exercises such as Area Domination Patrols (ADP), Mobile Vehicle Interception Patrols (MVIP), Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) as well as several other activities.
Riflewoman Sunita (25) hailing from Chhattisgarh who is the only person from her family to have joined the Army in 2017 told Excelsior that she feels proud to be serving the country in Kashmir Valley.
Sunita, a graduate, is currently posted in Kangan and has already served in North-Eastern states such as Nagaland and Manipur. “We are assigned duties during the MVIPs, CASOs along with bunker duty and I feel proud to be in Kashmir,” she said.
Andira K Pillai who is hailing from the southern state of Kerala told Excelsior that the Assam Rifles’ Riflewomen check ladies during the MVIPs, ADPs and that they have been trained for a varied nature of operations.
“Recently we joined our colleagues during a CASO in the area and performed our duties following our training,” Andira who is also in a process of learning the Kashmiri language said.
Before being posted to Kashmir, she served in Nagaland, Manipur and Shillong after joining the army in the year 2017.
It is to be noted here that the women cadets from Assam Rifles and Para-Military forces were deployed in Kashmir on internal security and other combat operations to prepare them for future challenges. As of now, as per the officials of the Army, there are two battalions of women army soldiers posted in Kashmir. One is stationed at Kangan and another battalion in Bandipora.
Also, the Riflewomen are recruited from various regions of the country after undergoing a series of rigorous tests including a written examination, a physical test which comes with a 1.6 km run followed by a thorough medical examination.
The successful candidates are then sent for training at the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School in Nagaland. It is after the completion of their training there are they posted to the Assam Rifles Battalions located at the various remote area along the border regions.
Both the Riflewoman who talked to Excelsior said that the local youth are energetic and talented and that they should utilize their energies to serve the nation like them. They said lately they have met with youth in the area and inspired to join the army after meeting the women-in-uniform.
Major General H.S. Sahi, GOC, Kilo Force told Excelsior that the Riflewomen are an integral part of Assam Rifle Battalions deployed in Central as well as North Kashmir as they are working alongside their male counterparts in all types of operations to ensure peace and tranquillity.
“They have also been part of Covid Patrols in far-flung areas to spread awareness about anti-Covid measures. Recently the Riflewomen also donated blood during a blood donation camp,” he said, adding that the local women and girls happily interact with the Riflewomen and look forward to their visits to far-flung villages.
Major General said that with the commitment of Riflewomen to their duty, “they also act as inspiration and role models for local girls who are keen on joining the security forces.”
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