For the first time, the CRPF is preparing to deploy 32 female commandos to the VIP security section

Official sources said on Wednesday that a first contingent of CRPF women commandos trained in VIP security will soon be deployed with Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other high-risk personalities for a variety of tasks, including accompanying them during the upcoming elections in five states.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has created its first-ever force of 32 female commandos in its VIP security section, and they will now be charged with protecting the CRPF's protectees in Delhi who have top Z+ protection. These female commandos, according to sources, have just completed a 10-week training programme in VIP protection, unarmed combat, body frisking, and special weapons firing, and will be deployed on the ground in January.

They said the women commandos will initially be deployed with its Z+ category protectees in Delhi, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the first family of Congress, which includes party president Sonia Gandhi, her children Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur.

Due to their high-risk profile, these protectees are also given an enhanced security liaison process. According to sources, this women commando contingent will rotate among about a dozen other Z+ category CRPF protectees.

The women commandos will serve as part of the VIPs' house protection squad and, if necessary, would accompany them during the next assembly elections in five states: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Goa.

When deployed for house protection, these commandos will search female visitors and be part of the VIP's residence's overall security detail during tours. According to sources, they will give proximal security to the protectee, particularly in the case of Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.

Arms, ballistic protection, and other devices will be carried by the female commandos, much like their male counterparts.

The Assembly elections in the five states are scheduled for February-March next year, and a frenzied political campaign is planned in the run-up to the elections, with lawmakers, party leaders, and ministers making whirlwind trips across the country.