Pakistani Women Join Special Anti-Terror Forces

Following are excerpts from a news segment on female Pakistani anti-terror forces, which aired on LBC TV on March 4, 2010.
 

Narrator: A female presence was imposed on the counter-terrorism security forces, in light of the deteriorating security in Pakistan, in order to provide protection to the civilians. Several young women joined the female security forces, and undergo training in order to meet the challenges.
 

The women practice tumbling and marksmanship
 

The training is undoubtedly difficult, requiring great skills, and is not completely free of danger. However, their determination, resolution, and willpower, as well as their commitment to their mission, drove them to join the female squad.
 

The women demonstrate their ability to split heavy objects with their bare hands
 

Zahida Akhtar, trainee: We undergo intensive counter-terrorism training. We are supervised by professional instructors. Despite our difficult and intensive training, we are proud to fulfill our mission in the service of our homeland.
 

The young women demonstrated great skills in the training field. They raided the place of a wanted militant, using a dog, trained for this mission. This is an example of what happens out there.
 

The women infiltrate a secured area with dogs and attack cardboard cut outs representing militants
 

The instructor believes that these women have reached an advanced level, allowing them to carry out dangerous missions.
 

Muhammad Akmal, instructor: I have trained men before, and now, I am training women. They have learned a lot, and they are implementing it in the field. They can be trusted with dangerous missions.
 

Jumping from high places, using ropes in order to attack the target and to rescue the civilians, was one of the powerful demonstrations carried out by the women, despite the dangerous nature of this mission.
 

The women descend from a three-storey building, using ropes
 

Fawzia Barwin, trainee: Jumping was scary in the beginning, but now it is very easy. The training we undergo bolsters our self-confidence. We implement what we learn.