Pakistan's women paratroopers create history

Female officers of the Pakistan Army have jumped from military helicopters for the first time in the country's history, the military said.

A total of 24 lady officers of the Pakistan Army successfully completed a three-week basic airborne course at the Parachute Training School in the northwestern city of Peshawar, Xinhua reported.

"Pakistan Army, in another landmark achievement, successfully completed the first ever Lady Officers Para Trooping Course at Para Training School," said a statement from the army's Inter-Services Public Relations.

Besides challenging physical training, the para jumping course involved training in exit, flight and landing techniques, it said.

Captain Sadia was the first women officer who jumped from an MI-17 helicopter, while Captain Kiran Ashraf was declared the best paratrooper of the batch.

The lady officers were awarded with the Para Wings insignia at a ceremony by Major General Abid Rafique, general officer commanding Special Service Group, the army said.