The Indian Army has deployed women, soldiers  at checkpoints in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal in an attempt to bridge the communication gap between locals and security forces.

This is the second district in the valley where women soldiers have been deployed to support security-related operations, including house-to-house searches, IBNS said quoting the Indian Army. 

Much to the surprise of the locals, these women soldiers were on Friday seen deployed at various checkpoints in Ganderbal, where they were helping male soldiers to frisk women and children.

“We are here to assist local women and at the same time maintain peace. We have been asked to deal with womenfolk’s at checkpoints so that we can create a bond with them… then only will they repose their trust in us. So far the response has been very good. Everyone we have interacted with has been very nice,” a woman soldier, who was deployed at a checkpoint, said.

Another women soldier said that they (riflewomen) do all the duties which male jawans do.

“We are happy that the local girls look up to us and want to be like us when they grow up,” she added.

In August 2020, the riflewomen from Assam Rifles were deployed in the border district of Kupwara in north Kashmir to check the smuggling of drugs and weapons through women Over Ground Workers (OGWs). (SAM)