The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is considering inducting women personnel in its specialised jungle warfare commando force CoBRA, force chief AP Maheshwari said on Thursday.
Under CRPF in 2009, ten Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) units were raised with over 12,000 personnel for undertaking intelligence-based jungle warfare operations.
Maheshwari addressing a press conference in New Delhi said, "We are favourably considering inducting women in the CoBRA.”
The majority of CoBRA teams are deployed in several Naxal violence affected states, while a few are sent to guard the northeastern states under counter-insurgency operations.
Troops inducted in CoBRA units have to undergo tough mental and physical training.
Women personnel in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) combat were introduced in 1986 when its first ‘Mahila’ battalion was raised.
Also Read: Indian Army instructs ex-servicemen, ‘Don’t wear medals, ribbons at public events’
Presently, CRPF women battalions have six units.
The force has a strength of about 3.25 lakh personnel and is the country's largest paramilitary force. The CRPF is designated as the lead internal security combat unit.