Border Security Force welcomes first woman sniper, sub-inspector Suman Kumari
Suman Kumari, a sub-inspector, has made history by becoming the first woman sniper of the Border Security Force (BSF) after successfully completing an eight-week sniper course at the Central School of Weapons and Tactics (CSWT) in Indore. Suman achieved the ‘instructor grade’ during the course.
Suman volunteered for the sniper course after experiencing the threat of sniper attacks from across the border while commanding a platoon in Punjab. Despite being the only female participant among 56 male counterparts, Suman successfully completed the rigorous training. Her determination and performance led to her superiors approving her participation in the challenging course.
The CSWT IG Bhaskar Singh Rawat praised Suman’s achievement and highlighted that the sniper course is one of the toughest after commando training. Suman’s success is expected to inspire other female recruits to consider and pursue similar military roles. Her accomplishment demonstrates the Border Security Force’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
The sniper course demands significant physical and mental strength, focusing on concentration and camouflaging to approach the enemy without detection. Suman’s excellence in the course has made her eligible for a posting as a sniper instructor. Hailing from Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, Suman comes from a humble family, with her father working as an electrician and her mother as a homemaker. She joined the BSF in 2021 and is also qualified in unarmed combat.
Suman Kumari’s achievement highlights the breaking of gender barriers in military roles and showcases the growing inclusivity within security forces. Her story is likely to inspire other women to consider and pursue unconventional roles in defense and law enforcement.
