In the remote, rugged stretches of India’s Northeast, where discipline walks lockstep with danger, the Assam Rifles have long stood as the nation’s sentinels. This is a place where bravery isn’t talked about — it’s lived, daily. Amid this backdrop of courage and tradition, one woman has etched her name into history — Riflewoman Sreelakshmi P.V., the first woman dog handler in the Assam Rifles.
She isn’t just holding a leash — she’s leading a revolution.
A New Chapter in an Old Institution
Founded in 1835, the Assam Rifles is India’s oldest paramilitary force. With a deep legacy of protecting the nation’s sensitive borders, it has always been a symbol of grit, sacrifice, and unflinching service. But until recently, it had also been a domain largely closed off to women — especially in specialized roles like dog handling.
That’s changing now. And Sreelakshmi P.V. is leading the charge.
From Determination to Deployment
Dog handling in the forces isn’t just about walking canines. It’s about trust, coordination, split-second decision-making — and bonding with a four-legged partner that could one day save your life, or you theirs. It’s physically grueling, emotionally demanding, and mentally razor-sharp work.
And Sreelakshmi aced it.
Trained with a Belgian Malinois, a breed renowned for its combat-readiness and keen intelligence, she underwent intensive drills — mastering everything from scent detection and obedience commands to combat movement and high-risk navigation. These dogs are deployed for patrols, mine detection, narcotics operations, and explosive sniffing. The handler is their voice, their eyes, their moral compass.
Now, that voice belongs to a woman for the first time in Assam Rifles history.
Not Just a Milestone — A Movement
In a heartfelt social media post, the Assam Rifles wrote:
“Demonstrating courage, determination, and passion, Sreelakshmi has embarked on a pioneering journey in a field traditionally dominated by men.”
This isn’t a token win. It’s a powerful signal. A signal that gender is no longer a barricade to roles that require toughness, strategy, and command. Her success coincides with the force’s broader vision — to push women’s representation from the current ~4% to a bold 10% by 2030.
And with leaders like Sreelakshmi out in the field, that number seems less like a goal and more like a guarantee.
Beyond the Uniform
Riflewoman Sreelakshmi’s journey is not just about boots on the ground. It’s about the silent battles she fought to get there — the skepticism, the expectations, the pressure to “prove” her worth in a man’s world. But she did more than prove it — she redefined it.
She’s not just a soldier. She’s a symbol.
Not just a handler. But a handler of history.
The Future She Leads
What comes next? For Sreelakshmi, perhaps more deployments, more responsibilities, and the pride of knowing that behind her, a trail has been cleared for many others to follow.
Because somewhere, right now, there’s a young girl — maybe in a small village, maybe reading about dogs, maybe watching an army parade — who just realized that she, too, could one day serve her country alongside a four-legged comrade.
And she’ll have Sreelakshmi P.V. to thank.
This is more than a personal victory. It’s a paradigm shift — wrapped in uniform, holding a leash, and walking confidently toward a future where no role is off-limits.