BSF Women Showcase Unparalleled Courage During Operation Sindoor in Akhnoor Sector
In an extraordinary show of valor and resilience, a team of women personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF) stood their ground for an astonishing three days and nights under unrelenting enemy fire during Operation Sindoor, conducted in the sensitive and often volatile Akhnoor sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
The operation, which took place near the India-Pakistan border, has been hailed as a landmark moment in the history of women in combat roles in Indian paramilitary forces.
According to a detailed report by The Times of India, the all-women team was commanded by Assistant Commandant (AC) Neha Bhandari, a young and determined officer who joined the BSF only three years ago. Despite her relatively short tenure in the force, Bhandari displayed remarkable leadership, courage, and strategic insight during one of the most intense cross-border engagements in recent times.
The Relentless Challenge
As Operation Sindoor unfolded, tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) escalated rapidly. Heavy and continuous shelling from across the border created a near war-like environment, with the enemy using flat-trajectory and area weapons that caused significant damage across the defensive lines.
During this critical period, BSF personnel, including the women’s team led by AC Bhandari, were tasked with holding two key forward posts—positions that were crucial for India’s border defense posture in the region.
The pressure was immense. The women were faced not only with the physical danger posed by the constant shelling but also the mental toll of being on high alert without reprieve for 72 hours. Yet, their determination never wavered.
Despite offers from senior male officers to withdraw from the frontline positions for their safety, Assistant Commandant Bhandari stood firm.
She declined the offer, emphasizing that her training as a soldier had been no different from that of her male counterparts.
“When we had trained as soldiers, our training regimen and resources were the same as our male counterparts,” she told The Times of India, reaffirming her commitment to equal responsibility in combat roles.
A Team of Valor
Under Bhandari’s decisive leadership, six women BSF personnel maintained their posts and returned fire with precision and discipline. The group was a mix of youthful energy and seasoned experience.
Among the team were Manjit Kour and Malkit Kour from Punjab, two veterans with nearly 17 years of service each, who brought with them a wealth of operational knowledge. Their experience proved invaluable in maintaining morale and operational efficiency under fire.
Joining them were Swapna Rath and Shampa Basak from West Bengal, Sumi Xess from Jharkhand, and Jyoti Banian from Odisha—young and newly inducted personnel who had joined the BSF as recently as 2023.
For these women, Operation Sindoor was their first experience of live combat, and they proved themselves under fire, putting their intensive weapons training and mental toughness to the ultimate test.
Their coordination, discipline, and ability to hold their ground even under continuous enemy assault became one of the highlights of the operation.
The enemy was ultimately forced to retreat as their offensive could not break the defensive line maintained by the women warriors. The precision use of BSF weaponry inflicted extensive damage, halting the adversary’s advance.
Leadership Beyond Expectations
What truly set this operation apart was the commanding role played by AC Neha Bhandari.
In a rare and commendable move, she not only led her team but also coordinated with Army reinforcements that arrived during the conflict. BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Varindar Dutta, stationed in the Sunderbani sector, noted that Bhandari showed exceptional presence of mind and independence in making real-time strategic decisions.
She independently made decisions on weapons and artillery to be deployed. This is the first known instance of a woman officer commanding in active combat,” DIG Dutta told TOI, underscoring the historic nature of Bhandari’s leadership.
Her exemplary service has not gone unnoticed at the highest levels of the armed forces. Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi formally acknowledged her bravery and leadership by awarding her the Commendation Disc—a prestigious honor conferred upon personnel who display distinguished service and extraordinary courage in operational areas.
A Legacy in the Making
Neha Bhandari’s decision to stand shoulder to shoulder with her team under fire is not just a testament to her valor but also a reflection of the growing role of women in India’s security forces.
Her background adds further depth to the story—both her parents have served in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and she grew up with an innate understanding of duty, sacrifice, and patriotism.
Operation Sindoor will likely be remembered not only for its strategic importance in countering enemy aggression but also for the way it redefined the role of women in combat.
It demonstrated that, given the same training and responsibilities, women soldiers are equally capable of meeting and exceeding the demands of active military engagements.
This operation may serve as a turning point in the narrative surrounding women in defense roles, inspiring many more to take up the call of duty with courage and conviction.
