New Delhi, September 16: IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar has become the first woman to head the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), marking a significant milestone for the specialised counter-insurgency unit.
Parashar, 47, is a 2006-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. She took charge as CoBRA Inspector General after being on deputation with the CRPF since August. She replaced 1996-batch Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories cadre IPS officer Danish Rana.
Known for her work in counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, Parashar has been popularly described as the “Iron Lady” by sections of the media. During her career, she has served as a superintendent of police in Assam, headed the state’s Crime Investigation Department and worked with the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Her appointment comes at a time when CoBRA continues to have an important role in counter-insurgency operations. The specialised unit was established in 2008, during the height of Left Wing Extremism, with a focus on jungle warfare and operations against armed insurgents.
Two CoBRA battalions were recently moved to Manipur amid the prolonged ethnic conflict in the state. According to the report, the violence, which began in May 2023, has resulted in more than 306 deaths and 49 people being reported missing. CoBRA personnel have been involved in operations to locate insurgents and recover weapons reportedly stolen from police armouries.
The unit has also been involved in the government's wider campaign against Left Wing Extremism. Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament earlier this year that the government had met its March 31 target for ending Maoism across the country. He cited figures of 4,839 insurgents surrendering, 706 being killed and 2,218 being arrested during three years of intensified anti-Maoist operations.
The CRPF is also expanding the specialised force. In May, the organisation announced plans to raise an 11th CoBRA battalion, including for counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Parashar’s appointment places her at the helm of a unit known for operating in difficult terrain and conducting high-risk counter-insurgency missions. Her extensive experience in Assam and the wider Northeast is expected to be relevant to the operational responsibilities of the post.
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