Reoti Ranges competition: 100 women constable shooters participating

INDORE: For the first time, 100 women constable shooters are participating in the 49th Inter Frontier Platoon Weapons Competition of Central School of Weapon & Tactics, Border Security Force's (BSF) which started from Wednesday at Reoti Ranges.
Among 686 shooters, who are taking part in the combat weapon event, there are 98 women constables and two sub-inspectors. These shooters are from 11 frontiers of the country.
"The aim of this competition is not only to imbibe sportsmen spirit but also select upcoming new talented shooters for BSF combat shooting team.They will represent BSF at All India Duty Meet,” said BSF Director General Rajnikant Mishra, who was present as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony.
He advised the shooters to participate with cool mind and give the best performance.
The six-day event will continue till February 18. “For the first time, BSF’s women team is taking part in the competition. The weapons that would be used during the competition are combat weapons that force uses in combating terrorists on the borders,” said CSWT Inspector General (IG) B K Mehta.
There will be 11 sections in the competition, out of which six will be based on weapons such as Insas rifles, Beretta, 51 mortars, pistol (9mm), light machine guns (LMG), and snipers which BSF deploys in real-time anti-terror operations. But, the events will not have any support weapons.
Out of the six weapon events, the women constables will take part in Beretta, pistol, rifle and sniper, he added.
“At present, BSF is not only safeguarding borders of the country but has been involved in internal safety as well. In these conditions, use of weapon is common and so their skills should be excellent,” said Mishra.
Talking about women in the force, Mishra said, “BSF didn’t have any women force, now BSF has- constables, sub inspectors and officers and they perform the same duty that men do. Women are also deployed at borders of Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh.”