Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 3: For the first time in the history, the Indian Army has deployed women soldiers for the internal security and combat operations near the Line of Control in Kashmir.
Leading women soldiers’ platoon in North Kashmir, Capt Gursimran Kour (Army Service Corps) is the third generation Army officer in her family. Her grand father and father have already rendrered their services in the Indian Army.
At an altitude of over 10,000 ft from the sea level at Sadhna Top in Tangdhar area of Kupwara, this Army officer along with a group of women soldiers has been deployed at the security check point on the road which leads to the LoC villages and vital defence installations in the sector. These women soldiers are from Assam Rifles and have been sent to North Kashmir on deputation. For the first time, the deployment of these women soldiers has been made in most sensitive area of Tangdhar near the Line of Control in North Kashmir.
A senior Army officer said that women were there in the Army for the last two decades but as soldiers they were not here in the field duty. In December 2019, for the first time the women soldiers were recruited in the Indian Army’s Military Police wing. They are under training at Bengluru. Before the final deployment, the Women cadets from Assam Rifles and Para-Military forces are being deployed in Kashmir on internal securuity and other cobat operations so as to prepare them for the up coming challenges.
Major General ADS Aujla, General Officer Commanding of Bajra (28th Inf) Division in North Kashmir told the media that there were reports about smuggling of drugs and weapons from the LoC. The intelligence reports had revealed that women are involved in this smuggling on the LoC but due to the lack of women personnel/ soldiers with the Army, it was difficult to check / frisking of these women. This is why the women soldiers have been deployed in this area along the LoC, the GOC said.
“The deployment of these women soldiers is also a preparation for the near future in combat operations or take on the task in case of war. Their deployment in these women operational area in support of terrorist operations, is very important. That is why this women platoon is in an area which is adjacent to the LoC. Moreover, terrorists also frequently use these routes for infiltration from across the LoC,” the GoC maintained.
“Pertinently, Sadhna Top in North Kashmir on which this women platoon has been stationed has its golden history. Bollywood’s famous actress Sadhna, came here to raise the morale of soldiers during war with Pakistan in 1965. Since then, the name of this place is Sadhna Post or Sadhna Top. It is said that before the war, Sadhna had shot a film in Kashmir. In her memory, the pictures of actress Sadhna are still hanging on wall at this place,” the officer said.
” In fact, Assam Rifles has been deployed for a long time in the Myanmar border and insurgency- hit States of the North-East and women have also been serving as jawans for many years. In such a situation, the Indian Army has deployed these women soldiers on the LoC as a trial. Let us also tell you here that all the personnel in Assam Rifles belong to their cadre, i.e. they are directly recruited in Assam Rifles, but the officers go from the Indian Army on deputation,” the GOC maintained.
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