In a first for the region of Jammu and Kashmir, women jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed along the international border shared with Pakistan. Enforced with the key intent of thwarting any infiltration along the Indo-Pak border, these women jawans have been deployed to keep a round-the-clock vigil on the Line of Control (LOC).
While this is the first time women jawans have been posted on this particular stretch of the international border India shares with Pakistan, women jawans have previously been posted along the LOC in Punjab, Rajasthan and other international borders India shares with its neighbours.
The move to deploy women jawans by the BSF is not only being seen as an impetus to the role played by women in the armed forces in protecting the country, but also to keep the threat of infiltration at bay this winter. A report by The Republic World explains that even though it has been over nine months since the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, the Indian armed forces are trying to maintain their vigilance nevertheless to prevent any escalation of terror activities.
The report shows one of the women jawans stating that “No matter what the challenges, we are prepared for every duty…we are here at the border to face any activities by infiltrators.” Another jawan said she wants her countrymen and women to sleep peacefully knowing that she and her colleagues are at the border, protecting them.
*Image used for representative purpose.