2nd batch of Afghan women officers undergo training at OTA

Head scarf-clad Zuhra Nabizada showed no traces of emotion as she handled the machine gun with the ease of a professional during a training session at the shooting range of the Officers Training Academy here.

She is part of a group of 19 women from the Afghanistan Armed forces honing their skills at the Academy.

Wiping the sweat off her sunburnt face, Afghan Air Force's Second Lieutenant Nabizada said this is her second visit to India.

"The first visit was in 2014 to Dehradun to part in a Taekwondo match," she said.

India's only academy to impart training to women cadets and officers, OTA is hosting women officers from the Afghanistan Armed Forces for the second time, the first being last year with 20 women.

Afghanistan Army's Liaison Officer Captain Sirajulhaq Safi told PTI that this time officers from the country's Air Force have also joined the programme.

"Compared to last year, the team this year comprises many young officers," Safi said, adding that his country sees the exercise as a knowledge-sharing experience.

The month-long training that began November 26, includes weapons training and drill besides others.

Indian Army's Major Ritu Jaswal said the officers were focused and showed keen interest in what was being taught.

"Each country has a different weapon system... Most of the time they use MI-16 assault rifles, here they get the opportunity to learn to use the Indian Small Arms System - light machine guns," she said.

"However, weather is the major hurdle they face here, as the present temperature in their country is below 5 degree Celsius."