Shruti Suman
Breaking barriers isn’t an easy feat. Venturing into uncharted territories requires courage. But nothing is impossible. Suman Kumari embodies this spirit. As a sub-inspector, she has carved her name in history by becoming the first female sniper in India’s Border Security Force (BSF). Kumari’s accomplishment is unprecedented, marking a significant milestone in a domain traditionally dominated by men. She successfully completed the rigorous eight-week sniper training program, establishing her position in what was once a male-dominated field. Welcoming Suman’s achievement, the BSF’s official Twitter handle stated, “BSF is truly becoming an inclusive force where #women are making rapid progress. In a significant stride towards this, after rigorous training, #BSF has welcomed its First #Female Sniper.” This course is renowned for its toughness within the BSF training regimen.
Suman Kumari’s Journey:
Suman Kumari hails from the picturesque hills of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Her upbringing is modest, with her father working as an electrician and her mother as a homemaker. In 2021, she joined BSF and served in Punjab with a commanding platoon.
After witnessing cross-border sniper attacks, she made the bold decision to enroll in sniper school, thereby achieving a groundbreaking milestone. She was the sole female among 56 men. CSWT IG Bhaskar Singh Rawat, speaking to the Times of India, highlighted the difficulty of the sniper course, likening it to commando training. Rawat commended Suman’s achievement, stating that she was now qualified to serve as a sniper instructor.
Sub-Inspector Suman Kumari, originally from Himachal Pradesh, earned the distinction of becoming BSF’s first female sniper after completing an eight-week course at the Central School of Armament and Warfare Skills (CSWT) in Indore, as per an official statement on Monday.
“BSF is truly becoming an inclusive force where #women are advancing in various roles. In a significant step in this direction, after rigorous training, #BSF now has its First #Female Sniper,” CSWT posted on social media platform X.
“Suman (28) hails from Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh and had joined BSF 3years ago. She expressed a desire to undergo sniper training. She was among 57 personnel who underwent eight weeks of training at CSWT,” the official noted.
Having completed the demanding course with the rank of ‘Instructor,’ Suman is now qualified to provide sniper training to others, the official further stated.
According to reports, Suman, whose father is an electrician and mother is a homemaker, had previously undergone unarmed combat training. BSF’s achievement comes just before International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th.
