For the first time ever, special squads of women troops have been deployed deep inside jungles to undertake active and prolonged operations against Naxalites. PTI quoting sources said, the country's largest paramilitary force CRPF recently sent two squads, comprising around 35 women commandos each, to fight the Naxalites shoulder-to-shoulder with their male colleagues. They are not only living at the ground locations but also carrying out patrols.

While one contingent is undertaking operations in the worst Naxal-affected area of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, the other has been based at an undisclosed location in Jharkhand.

With the induction of these CRPF commandos in their trademark camouflaged 'Khaki' uniform, India has become one of those few countries to deploy women personnel in live combat situations in one of the most violent and high threat theatres of conflict.