Proud moment: ITBP inducts first 2 women as combat officers

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police has, for the first time ever, inducted two women officers as combat officers. 

Prakriti and Deeksha, who passed out on Sunday from Mussoorie-based ITBP Force Academy, were selected through UPSC CAPF (Assistant Commandant) examination in 2016. To date, the women were only posted in ITBP's constable ranks 

The ITBP guards the 3,488-km-long India-China border. 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and ITBP DG SS Deswal, who pinned the rank on 53 officers after the Passing Out Parade, congratulated them and said, "The ITBP is known as Sentinels of the Himalayas and guards the difficult borders of the nation with dedication and high motivation. The Force is the saviour of the people in distress in disaster situations especially in the remote mountainous terrains."

Among central paramilitary forces, the ITBP is the last to enrol women officers in combat roles. The Border Security Force and Sashastra Seema Bal started inducting women officers in 2013 and 2014, respectively. 

The government had allowed the induction of women officers in 2016, a year after Indian Air Force announced that women officers to be taken into the fighter stream. 

"I have got an opportunity to become a first woman officer at  ITBP. Though life here is tough, it is more exciting. I would request the girls to come and join the force," said Prakriti, who hails from Bihar's Samastipur district. 

Another officer, Deeksha is the daughter of serving ITBP Inspector CM Kamlesh Kumar. 

On the occasion, Kumar said, "It is a matter of pride for a father. She was very much motivated. I gave her physical and medical training."

"My father is an inspirational figure. I would urge the women to join this force," said Deeksha. 

Dhami and Deswal also released an exclusive book titled ‘History of ITBP’ published by ITBP at Force Academy, Mussoorie.