CISF to induct first-ever all-women commando unit

new delhi: in a major step towards gender parity and operational inclusion, the central industrial security force (cisf) is set to induct its first-ever all-women commando unit for front-line roles.training for the inaugural batch of 30 women commandos began on august 11 at the regional training centre in barwaha, madhya pradesh. the eight-week advanced commando course will conclude on october 4. the programme covers weapons handling, live-fire drills under stress, rappelling, forest survival, obstacle courses and a 48-hour exercise to test endurance and decision-making. a second batch will undergo training from october 6 to november 29.initially, 100 women personnel from aviation security groups and sensitive cisf units will complete the programme. post-training, they will be deployed at airports and other high-security installations.the cisf currently has 12,491 women, comprising 8 per cent of its strength, and plans to recruit 2,400 more in 2026 to meet the home ministry's 10 per cent target.