Guwahati: Close to the India-Bangladesh border in Dhamakhali village, a floating border outpost (BOP) manned by the Border Security Force (BSF) guards is currently operating, media reports said on Wednesday.

But it is not the location of BOP Ganga that makes this border outpost unique: it is its 11-member patrol team entirely comprising women constables, the first of its kind in India, reports The Indian Express.

In a statement, the BSF’s South Bengal Frontier headquarters as quoted by the newspaper said, “This is the first time in the history of BSF that a platoon of Mahila Praharis (women constables) has been deployed for border patrolling and operation of a floating BOP in difficult terrain like the Sundarbans. Their deployment will be especially helpful in preventing smuggling by women smugglers."

“The conditions are difficult, but the BOP is stocked for our daily needs. We are deployed here with INSAS rifles,” platoon commander sub-inspector Seema, who declined to provide her last name, told the newspaper.

BSF South Bengal earlier tweeted: " First in the history,An epitome of #women empowerment, BSF Mahila Praharis deployed independently in combat role at Floating BOPs in porous Sunderban BSF_SOUTHBENGAL for safeguarding the borders of the nation & protecting it's sovereignty.@womenempowerment
@BSF_India."

Earlier this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had flagged off the Floating Boat Ambulance and laid the foundation stone of the Maitri Sangrahalaya.

The Union Home Minister said it is a matter of happiness that women are now being deployed in the BSF and they are proudly protecting Mother India,  shoulder to shoulder with with men.