Sanjukta Parashar Becomes First Woman to Lead CRPF’s CoBRA

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Sept: IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar has become the first woman to lead the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), taking charge as an Inspector General of the specialised force, according to multiple reports published this week.

Parashar, a 2006-batch IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has served in field and counter-insurgency assignments in Assam and also had a tenure with the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Her field experience in insurgency-affected areas has been highlighted in reports following her appointment.

The CRPF’s CoBRA is a specialised force trained for jungle warfare, guerrilla operations and counter-insurgency missions. Reports said Parashar has taken over the command from 1996-batch IPS officer Danesh Rana.

From Assam field operations to CoBRA command
Parashar gained prominence during her postings in Assam, including her tenure as Superintendent of Police in Sonitpur, where she was involved in counter-insurgency operations. Her operational record has led to her being popularly referred to as the “Iron Lady of Assam” in media reports.

She has also served with the NIA, adding investigative and national-security experience to her field policing background. Reports have noted that her career has included assignments involving counter-insurgency and security operations.

First woman at the helm of CoBRA
Parashar’s appointment marks the first time a woman officer has headed the CRPF’s CoBRA formation, according to reports citing the CRPF order and senior officials. CoBRA is a specialised 10-battalion formation within the CRPF and has been deployed for operations in difficult forest and conflict-affected terrain.

The development comes as women officers continue to take on senior leadership responsibilities across India’s central armed police forces and other security organisations.