India's paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has selected its first batch of women commandos to be inducted into its elite CoBRA unit to take on the ultra-left Maoist rebels in the contiguous forests of east, central and southern India. A total of 34 women personnel from CRPF's all six Mahila Battalions have been selected. These commandos will undergo the strenuous Commando Battalions for Resolute Action (CoBRA) pre-induction training of three months.

A CRPF official told IANS that the exercise will reinforce their physical capabilities and tactical acumen by imparting next level training in firing and special weapons, planning, field craft, explosives and jungle survival skills.

"After successful completion of their training the batch of these Mahila Warriors will be posted in LWE areas alongside their male counterparts," the official said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had accorded approval for setting up of sanction of 10 unattached battalions of CoBRA for guerrilla and jungle warfare type operations for dealing with extremists and insurgents.

Two battalions of CoBRA force was raised in 2008-09. In 2009-10, the number of the battalions was increased to four. Later, four more Battalions of the force were raised in 2010-11.

All the 34 women selected voluntarily suggested their names and 200 more women personnel have also given their names for their selection in the elite unit of the force, CRPF DIG M. Dhinakaran told IANS.

CRPF Director General A. P. Maheshwari, said that the force has a history of empowered women warriors who have not just brought laurels to the force but have also made the country proud by conspicuous gallantry both at home in India and abroad in several UN peacekeeping missions.

He remarked that while this gender neutrality adds to the diversity of the force, empowered women make an empowered family which eventually empowers the nation.

The 88th Mahila Battalion of CRPF has the distinction of being the first all women battalion in the world, said the CRPF in a statement.

In another first, an all Mahila brass band was also formed on this occasion.