‘Proud to be manning posts with my troops along International Border': BSF's Neha Bhandari, who led unit during Operation Sindoor
Having joined the BSF order nearly three years ago, Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari led a unit guarding border posts some 150 metres away from the International Border in the Akhnoor-Pargwal area. She was among the six women constables to hold gun positions at forward border posts, and was credited with destroying three Pakistani posts following the escalation at the borders earlier this month.
'I feel proud to be manning posts with my troops along the International Border,' Neha, who becomes the first woman officer among the security forces to engage the enemy during combat, said Saturday. 'My grandfather was in the Army. My father was in the CRPF. My mother is also in the CRPF, I feel proud to follow in their footsteps,' she said, adding 'it's an honour to command a post so close to the international border along with my troops'.
She is currently posted in the Akhnoor sector.
A post on X Saturday, the BSF, Jammu, said: 'On 30 May 2025, COAS General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, felicitated Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari of BSF Jammu with the Commendation Disc former exceptional courage and operational proficiency during Operation SINDOOR. She gallantly commanded a forward deployed BSF company under challenging conditions'.
Meanwhile, General Upendra Dwivedi, who arrived in Jammu on a two-day visit Thursday, had attended the high-level security review meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah.
'General Dwivedi reviewed operational preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir's Pargwal sector and visited the Tiger Division where he commended troops for their outstanding performance in Operation Sindoor,' the PRO Defence said on a social media platform X Saturday. 'He stressed the importance of staying agile and vigilant in response to evolving security dynamics.'
During his visit, the Army Chief appreciated the BSF's close operational integration with the Army and 'lauded the bravery of Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari and her team for defending the forward posts in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu', the post said, adding that he also acknowledged the valuable contribution of ex-servicemen in supporting the armed forces during Operation Sindoor.
–With PTI inputs
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
14 minutes ago
- India.com
From BrahMos, Pralay to Nirbhay and Pinaka..., India's Integrated Rocket Force to be ultimate game-changer weapon to crush China and Pakistan
(Representational image) War is no longer what it used to be. Battles once fought with massive armies and roaring tanks are now shaped by rockets and missiles that strike in minutes. From Ukraine to the Middle East, modern conflicts have proven that the future of warfare lies in long-range precision attacks rather than face-to-face combat. Recognizing this shift, India has begun developing its Integrated Rocket Force (IRF), a move that goes beyond simple military reform. It is a bold signal to China and Pakistan that India is ready to respond with strength and will not yield under pressure. For much of the last century, nuclear weapons acted as the ultimate shield. The fear of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) stopped countries from going to war directly. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, China's growing pressure on Taiwan, tensions between Iran and Israel, and the close partnership of Pakistan and China in South Asia show that relying only on nuclear weapons is no longer enough. Why IRF is important? India faces a two-sided challenge. Pakistan tries to block India's conventional strength by threatening to use nuclear weapons. At the same time, China keeps building pressure along the LAC, with incidents like Galwan and Doklam proving this. India therefore needs a force that can counter both—Pakistan's nuclear blackmail and China's conventional military advantage. The Integrated Rocket Force (IRF) is designed to do exactly that. It will give India 'deterrence by denial', meaning the enemy will believe that India can crush their move before it even begins. China-Pakistan strategy vs. India's response Recently, Pakistan announced the creation of an Army Rocket Force Command, modeled on China's PLA Rocket Force (PLARF). China's PLARF mixes both nuclear and conventional missiles, and there is little civilian oversight, almost everything is controlled directly by the military. This creates confusion for China's rivals, since they can't always tell whether a missile launch is nuclear or conventional. India, however, will not follow this path. In India, nuclear weapons remain under civilian control, not just the military. India also follows a clear policy of 'No First Use', meaning it will never be the first to launch nuclear weapons. This makes India a responsible nuclear power. The IRF, therefore, will focus only on strengthening conventional strike capability, not mixing it with nuclear weapons. In 2023, the Indian government approved the purchase of 120 Pralay missiles, with plans to add over 250 more. These missiles can hit targets between 150 and 500 kilometers away, making them a real game-changer in regional conflicts. In the coming years, the IRF will also include BrahMos, Nirbhay, and long-range cruise missiles, further boosting India's strike power.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
'Let's not go below the belt': Wasim Akram warns after India avoid burning Pakistan Asia Cup question
The legendary Wasim Akram reacted on Wednesday to the ongoing backlash over the scheduled India versus Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, insisting that the "game must go on" regardless of whether the blockbuster encounter takes place. The two arch-rivals are slated to face each other on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium in a Group A fixture. Wasim Akram had his say on the scheduled India vs Pakistan Asia Cup fixture Ever since the schedule was confirmed last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has faced significant criticism for agreeing to play against Pakistan. The controversy was heightened by the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this April, which further strained the already fragile political situation between the two countries. At one point, speculation was rife that the Asia Cup could even be cancelled if India withdrew, before the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) ended the uncertainty with an official announcement in late July. The criticism intensified after the Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions side withdrew from facing Pakistan twice in the World Championship of Legends last month, including the semifinal. More recently, at a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday, India captain Suryakumar Yadav was asked whether his team would participate in the September 14 clash. The Indian media manager swiftly intervened, instructing reporters to restrict questions to team selection. Speaking on the Stick With Cricket podcast, Akram urged calm, stressing the importance of keeping politics away from sport. "Asia Cup schedule is out, there is backlash. But we in Pakistan are calm. We will be fine whether we play or don't play. The game must go on," he said. "Politics apart, I am not a politician. They are patriotic about their country, we are patriotic about ours. Let's not go below the belt. Talk about the triumphs of your country; the same goes for Pakistan, and the same goes for India. It is easier said than done." Akram added that while he respected the sensitivities around the rivalry, he still hoped to see India and Pakistan contest at least one bilateral Test series in his lifetime. The two neighbours have not played a bilateral series since 2012. 'I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Espionage link: 30-year-old detained in Jaisalmer for 'spying' for Pakistan; fourth case reported in district
Jivan Khan (left) detained by police (Image: Screengrab from ANI video) NEW DELHI: A 30-year-old man suspected of spying for Pakistan has been detained on Wednesday in Jaisalmer. The man, identified as Jivan Khan from the Sankada area, was caught by Military Intelligence (MI) and later handed over to Kotwali police. Officials said Khan had previously worked at a restaurant inside the military area in Jaisalmer. On Tuesday, he was stopped at the Army station gate while trying to enter the premises. His mobile phone was checked due to suspicious activity, after which MI officers took him into custody. During questioning, Khan reportedly admitted that he has relatives in Pakistan. He will now be presented before the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC), where multiple security agencies are expected to question him further. Briefing about the arrest, SP Jaisalmer Abhishek Shivhare said, "One suspicious person has been detained and is being taken for investigation. It has been revealed that he communicated with someone in Pakistan. His mobile phone is currently under investigation... Other agencies have also been instructed to verify him through their private contractors... He worked as a cook for a long time and is currently employed at a hotel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 1 Reason to Read The 5 Books American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends For Turning Your Life... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo .. We are also instructing companies here to conduct police verification through their private labourers and contractors." This is the fourth suspected case of spying in Jaisalmer. Earlier, on August 13, a contractual manager at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) guest house near the Chandan Field Firing Range was arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI. According to Rajasthan CID (Security), the accused, Mahendra Prasad from Almora, Uttarakhand, had been in contact with Pakistani agents through social media. He was allegedly sharing sensitive details about the movement of DRDO scientists and Army officers involved in missile and weapons testing at the firing range.
