Meet Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari: Defended Border Posts for 3 Days, Force Pakistani Retreat
In an inspiring demonstration of courage, leadership, and determination, Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari of the Border Security Force (BSF) has emerged as a symbol of empowerment and tactical excellence during Operation Sindoor, India’s robust counteroffensive along the International Border.
A third-generation officer from Uttarakhand, Neha Bhandari has carved a niche in India’s military history. Awarded the prestigious Commendation Disc by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, she is being celebrated for her gallant leadership in silencing three enemy posts in the volatile Pargwal sector of Akhnoor during Operation Sindoor. Her actions came amidst heightened tensions following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 innocent lives.
What makes her story more remarkable is not just the award — but the team she led and the courage they displayed.
For three continuous days, Neha Bhandari commanded an all-women BSF team of seven officers, holding two critical frontline posts under intense cross-border firing. Her team forced Pakistani forces to retreat from their forward defenses, marking a historic moment in the deployment of women in direct combat roles in India.
The unit included:
- Veterans Manjit Kour and Malkit Kour (Punjab) – with 17 years of service each.
- Swapna Rath and Shampa Basak (West Bengal), Sumi Xess (Jharkhand), and Jyoti Banian (Odisha) – four dynamic young officers who joined the BSF in 2023.
They stood firm inside bunkers barely meters from the enemy, proving that courage has no gender.
Despite the risks involved, Neha turned down offers of withdrawal. “Our training is no different from our male counterparts. This was our moment to prove we are just as capable,” she asserted.
That statement, delivered amidst real-time warfare, stands as a rallying cry for gender parity in the armed forces.
Neha's grit runs in her blood — her mother serves in the CRPF, and her commitment to the nation reflects the spirit of a family steeped in service. Only three years into her BSF career, she has already made history by becoming the first woman officer to lead a successful direct strike along the International Border.
Operation Sindoor has become more than just a military response — it’s a milestone in gender-inclusive warfare. The success of Neha Bhandari and her team has paved the way for future generations of women in uniform, redefining what leadership looks like on the frontlines.
Their victory under fire doesn’t just secure our borders; it shatters stereotypes, builds legacy, and inspires millions of women dreaming to wear the olive green.
Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari is not just a name — she’s a force. Her leadership in Operation Sindoor marks a turning point in India's defense narrative, and her story will be told every time a young woman dreams of donning the uniform.
“In the face of fire, she didn’t flinch. She fought, she led, and she won — for the country, for her team, and for every woman who dreams beyond limits.”
