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Sanjukta Parashar becomes first woman to head CRPF's CoBRA unit
Why in News?
First woman ever to lead a CRPF jungle-warfare unit: the CoBRA mandate every Internal Security answer needs
Sanjukta Parashar has become the first woman officer to head CoBRA, the CRPF's specialised anti-Naxal combat unit.
Why it matters: GS-3 core; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 min read
Sanjukta Parashar, known as the 'Iron Lady of Assam' for her record against militancy in the state, has become the first woman officer to head CoBRA, a specialised anti-Naxal unit of the Central Reserve Police Force.
CoBRA, short for Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, was raised in 2008 for jungle warfare and guerrilla operations against left-wing extremism.
Her appointment marks a significant step in women's representation in India's specialised paramilitary combat units.
Sources: Indian Express · Topper IAS editorial
Key facts
Remember these
- Sanjukta Parashar is the first woman officer to head CoBRA
- CoBRA = Commando Battalion for Resolute Action
- CoBRA is a specialised anti-Naxal unit of the CRPF
- CoBRA was raised in 2008 for jungle warfare and guerrilla operations against left-wing extremism
- Parashar is known as the 'Iron Lady of Assam' for her record against militancy
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- CoBRA stands for Commando Battalion for Resolute Action.
- CoBRA was raised in 2008 to combat left-wing extremism through jungle warfare and guerrilla tactics.
- CoBRA functions as a specialised unit under the Central Reserve Police Force.
- Sanjukta Parashar became the first woman officer to head CoBRA.
Mains
Under GS Paper 3 (Internal Security / Left-Wing Extremism), this development highlights the CRPF's specialised CoBRA framework for anti-Naxal jungle warfare and the growing representation of women in command roles within India's paramilitary combat forces. It underscores the need to sustain gender-inclusive leadership reforms alongside capacity-building in LWE-affected regions for a comprehensive internal security strategy.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Sanjukta Parashar recently became the first woman officer to head CoBRA, a specialised jungle-warfare unit of which central force?
- Border Security Force
- Central Industrial Security Force
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police
- Central Reserve Police Force
Show answer
Answer: D — CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), raised in 2008 for jungle warfare against left-wing extremism, is a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
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