Sanjukta Parashar Makes History as First Woman to Lead CRPF's CoBRA Unit

A Historic Milestone for Women in India's Security Forces

In a landmark move for gender representation in India's central armed police forces, Sanjukta Parashar has become the first woman Inspector General (IG) to lead the CRPF's elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, commonly known as CoBRA. The appointment order was issued by CRPF headquarters on September 10, 2026, where she succeeded 1996-batch IPS officer Danesh Rana [2].

Parashar, a 2006-batch IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, brings a career defined by high-risk field operations rather than administrative desk roles. Her appointment is seen as a significant shift in the CRPF, placing a woman in direct command of personnel deployed in the country's most physically demanding and volatile operational environments.

Who is Sanjukta Parashar? The 'Iron Lady of Assam'

Sanjukta Parashar earned the moniker “Iron Lady of Assam” during her tenure as Superintendent of Police in the Sonitpur district between 2013 and 2014. During this period, she led a rigorous crackdown on the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, reportedly arresting over five dozen insurgents and neutralising 16 militants within 15 months [2].

Her professional trajectory combines frontline combat experience with high-level national security intelligence:

• National Investigation Agency (NIA): From 2017 to 2023, she served as SP and later as Deputy Inspector General (DIG), where she handled investigations into terrorism and extremism, including a train blast case in Madhya Pradesh [2]. In April 2022, she received a medal for excellence in police training from Union Home Minister Amit Shah [1].
• Assam Police: Immediately prior to her central deputation in August 2026, she served as the Inspector General of Police, CID-I, in Assam [3].
• Academic Background: She holds a degree in Political Science from Indraprastha College, Delhi University, and a master’s in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University [1].

Understanding CoBRA: The Elite Jungle Warfare Unit

Established between 2008 and 2009, CoBRA is a specialised force within the CRPF specifically designed to tackle Left Wing Extremism (LWE) and insurgency [1]. Unlike standard police units, CoBRA is trained for guerrilla warfare and long-range operations in dense forest terrains.

Feature	CoBRA Specialisation
Primary Focus	Jungle warfare, guerrilla operations, and counter-insurgency.
Core Tactics	Long-range patrols, ambush/counter-ambush, and IED threat mitigation.
Current Deployment	Anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand; recently deployed in Manipur [2].
Force Size	10 specialised battalions.

Broader Impact on Gender Representation

Parashar's leadership of CoBRA is not an isolated event but part of a growing trend of women occupying senior operational roles. She is currently one of seven women IPS officers serving as Inspector Generals across various CRPF formations, including sectors in Jammu, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, the Northeast, and the Rapid Action Force [2].

For aspiring women in the security forces, this appointment signals that command of frontline, combat-focused units is no longer a male-exclusive domain, especially as Parashar takes charge during a period of active insurgency and ethnic tensions in regions like Manipur.