Chennai: A group of 20 women from Afghanistan, who are serving in combat role in the army, are here for a military training programme, the first such exercise which has enthused their peers in India who too are keen to serve on the frontline.
The 20-day training programme began on December 4 at Officers Training Academy in Chennai, the sole centre training for gentlemen and lady cadets in India.
Two Indian Army women officers, who are coordinating the training, favoured allowing women in combat role. "Yes, I (will) definitely give a big yes...we should be given a fair opportunity in combat...all of us feel we could be in the forefront," Major Sanjana JR told news agency PTI.
Major Sanjana, the instructor for the training programme for Afghan officers, was asked if the Indian army too should allow women officers in combat role. She said though women army officers were presently engaged in key support roles, they were actually not in the thick of combat. "Hopefully, we will be part of combat (in future)," said Captain Samriti, who is acting as an interpreter and coordinator for the programme.
The training will end on December 23 and the Afghan officers will leave the next day, Captain Samriti said.
Major Sanjana said the training programme is a "capsule" which encompasses major features of one year training. The Afghan women officers of various ranks are being trained in weaponry, firing, communication, tactics, administration and logistics.
Today, media personnel were allowed to witness the women officers getting trained in handling the AK-47, in the OTA shooting range here at St Thomas Mount.
The 20-day training programme began on December 4 at Officers Training Academy in Chennai, the sole centre training for gentlemen and lady cadets in India.
Two Indian Army women officers, who are coordinating the training, favoured allowing women in combat role. "Yes, I (will) definitely give a big yes...we should be given a fair opportunity in combat...all of us feel we could be in the forefront," Major Sanjana JR told news agency PTI.
Major Sanjana, the instructor for the training programme for Afghan officers, was asked if the Indian army too should allow women officers in combat role. She said though women army officers were presently engaged in key support roles, they were actually not in the thick of combat. "Hopefully, we will be part of combat (in future)," said Captain Samriti, who is acting as an interpreter and coordinator for the programme.
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The training will end on December 23 and the Afghan officers will leave the next day, Captain Samriti said.
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Major Sanjana said the training programme is a "capsule" which encompasses major features of one year training. The Afghan women officers of various ranks are being trained in weaponry, firing, communication, tactics, administration and logistics.
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Today, media personnel were allowed to witness the women officers getting trained in handling the AK-47, in the OTA shooting range here at St Thomas Mount.
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