Charu Sinha first woman to head CRPF in militancy-hit Srinagar
Quote: “As always, I am looking forward to my new assignment” Charu Sinha, IPS officer
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Tough officer
A 1996-batch IPS officer, Charu Sinha is seen as a tough officer
Has conducted several anti-Naxal operations in Bihar and Telangana
Also led the paramilitary force in sensitive Jammu sector
Tribune News Service
Jammu/New Delhi, September 1
IPS officer Charu Sinha has become the first woman commander to head the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) formation in militancy-affected Srinagar sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday.
A celebrated Telangana-cadre officer of the 1996 batch, Sinha is seen in security circles as a tough officer, always eager to take up challenges. She had successfully conducted several anti-Naxal operations in Bihar and her cadre state.
Appointed Inspector General (IG), she says it would be inappropriate to comment about her posting, insisting, “As always, I am looking forward to my new assignment.”
Under her leadership, claims a senior CRPF official, various anti-Naxals operations were carried out in the two states. She was subsequently moved to sensitive Jammu sector as IG where she spent a long and successful tenure.
Constituted in 2005, the Srinagar sector comprises Budgam, Ganderbal and Srinagar districts and Ladakh UT. The CRPF works in tandem with the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir police during anti-terror operations.
The current CRPF Director-General, AP Maheshwari, was the first IG to head the sector, which includes two ranges, 22 executive units and three Mahila companies.
A few years ago, Sonali Mishra, IPS officer of the 1993-batch Madhya Pradesh cadre, had served as the IG of another paramilitary force, the Border Security Force, in Kashmir.
An order issued by the CRPF headquarters on Monday also posted nine other IGs to head the Kashmir operations of the CRPF in the Valley.
The CRPF, country’s largest paramilitary force with about 3.25 lakh personnel, has deployed at least 65 battalions for law and order duties and undertaking counter-terrorist operations in Kashmir.