CRPF To Deploy 500 Women Commandos, Armed With Assault Rifles, To Tackle Stone Pelters In Kashmir

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has decided to deploy 500 women commandos in the Kashmir valley to deal with women stone pelters, reported The Times of India. The special women’s unit has been trained in combat, special operations and all types of weaponry. They are also being trained for night-time deployment, the report further stated.

CRPC said the women’s unit will be armed with assault rifles to retaliate in cases of terrorist attacks. The unit is likely to be deployed in disturbed areas of Srinagar, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Budgam and Anantnag.

“Deployment of more women will definitely have a positive impact on law and order duties and anti-terror operations,” Inspector General Kashmir (operations) of CRPF, Zulfikar Hassan, is reported to have said.

As per a report in News18, mobile toilets and troop carriers are being brought in to aid the new women’s unit.“A fresh lot of body protectors and bullet-proof armour is also being procured for the special women squad inducted for operations in the valley for the first time”, a training officer was reported to have said.

These women commandos will lead operations during instances of women pelting stones and will be assisted by their male counterparts during operations. Over 300 incidents of stone pelting have been reported this year, according to the report in the Times of India.