(Image source from: First 'mahila' security squad along India-China border})

The first 'Mahila Squad' of freshly-trained contingent of 500 women personnel is commissioned for high-altitute posts of India-China Border. In Panchkula, the squad was commissioned into the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

The women underwent training for 44 weeks in battle craft and mountain survival. They are of rank of constable, inducted in the border-guarding force. The squad will now be sent to frontier areas for final acclimatization. They will then be deployed at ITBP posts along Sino-India Line of Actual Control (LAC) that is the 3,488-km long.

By March 2016, the 'mahila' contingents are likely to be posted at nearly 20 forward ITBP locations. These locations are placed between 8,000-14,000 feet, including the last village on the Indian side in Uttarakhand, at the 'Mana pass' border post.

ITBP Director General Krishna Chaudhary has reviewed the 'passing out parade' of the new personnel. After the reviewable, the women were asked by him to exhibit their best skills learnt during the training. They were trained to discharge their duties in few most difficult locations in the Himalayan ranges.

After taking the salute at the Basic Training Centre (BTC) of the force at Bhanu, the Director General said, "You will be further trained in field training and high-altitude acclimatisation before your final deployment. I am sure you will do the country and the force proud."

First Time

For the first time, India is deploying women troops’ right at the front. This is considered as most arduous and tricky because of the harsh climatic conditions on the top of it, the extreme mountainous terrain along the border of India and China. The plans of the force are to have women personnel to make up minimum 40% of its strength at these forward posts.

- Sumana