The Lebanese LBC TV recently broadcast a news segment on the recruitment of Pakistani women to the country's counterterrorism forces. The segment, which aired on March 4, 2010, showed female Pakistani recruits practicing their marksmanship, breaking objects with karate chops, using dogs to sniff out wanted militants, and scaling a three-story building using ropes.
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/0/0/0/0/0/0/2418 .
"[The Women's] Determination, Resolution, Willpower, and Commitment Drove Them to Join the Female Squad"
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
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"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 counterterrorism 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."
Narrator: "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."
Instructor: The Women Can Be Trusted With 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-story 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."
