29-yr-old first female to join Pak Bomb Disposal Unit
Rafia Qaseem Baig, a 29-year-old Pakistani woman, has become the first woman to join the country's Bomb Disposal Unit. Baig, who has Masters degrees in International Relations and Economics, joined the force as a constable seven years ago. Despite her academic qualifications, she chose to join the police force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when extremists were overtly targeting security forces.
Peshawar, Dec 11 (PTI) A 29-year-old woman from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become the first Pakistani female to join the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) in the restive province that frequently witnesses terror attacks. Rafia Qaseem Baig, who joined police force as a constable seven years ago, will work in BDU after completing her 15-day training along with 31 other male members at Nowsheras School of Explosive Handling, media reports said. During her training, she will learn about the types of bombs, their identification and ways to defuse them. Rafia, who belongs to a highly educated family, said a blast near a sessions court seven years ago motivated her to join the force. She completed her masters degree in International Relations. She then pursued another masters degree in Economics and worked at International Rescue Committee where she developed a passion for law and enrolled in an LLB programme that is currently under way. Given her academic qualifications, she was offered jobs in many companies and non-government organisations. However, she chose to join police force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when extremists were overtly targeting security forces. After her appointment, she was asked to undergo training sessions in areas including Adezai, Michni and Salman Khel in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. These were the declared red zones at that time. She spent 10 days patrolling these localities with a large number of male police personnel. 