Defying expectations: Second batch of women commandos graduates

While addressing the ceremony, CM also announced compensatory allowance for two commandos who died during training

PESHAWAR:

Looking comfortable in her uniform, Shazia said “Some women like to dress up, but becoming a commando changed my life.” Shazia was talking to The Express Tribune at the passing-out ceremony held at Nowshera Elite Force Training School on Thursday.

“We learned to use heavy guns, repelled from high towers, ran two miles every day and saw many difficult days in this school just to get this wing,” said Kulsoom, pointing at the logo emblazoned on her uniform.

It was the second batch of women, 33 of them, who graduated from the training school; it was the 12th batch of male commandos.

Clad in black uniforms, with maroon uppers distinguishing women from men, the commandos jumped from towers and pretended to shoot enemies using heavy machine guns in a mock exercise conducted to showcase the abilities of the elite armed force.

The commandos, hailing from different parts of the province, exhibited skills acquired in the six-month-long training.

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, IGP Nasir Khan Durrani and other higher-ups from the police department attended the ceremony.

Durrani praised efforts of the commandos and said they have commendable abilities. “Unfortunately, this region has been the prime target of terrorist activities because of its border with the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Afghanistan,” he added.

Durrani also praised the role of Pakistan Army in efforts to eliminate terrorism. He said the police would like to invite politicians and army officials at the elite force graduation.

Khattak also addressed the ceremony and congratulated the commandos. “The commandos will play a vital role in eliminating terrorism from this region,” Khattak said. “Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police has sacrificed a lot, from the lower rank constable to the IG rank officer – all have laid down their lives to protect Pakistan.”

The CM also announced a compensatory allowance for two commandos who died during the training.

“There will be a 40% increase in the allowance of the instructors,” he said. The school will also get Rs2 million in funding from the provincial government. Naseem, one of the 588 men who graduated on Thursday, told The Express Tribune, “It was my dream to become an elite force commando. I will do my best to eliminate terrorism from my province and my country.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2016.