Jammu: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, honored Border Security Force (BSF) Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari with the prestigious Commendation Disc on Friday for her outstanding bravery and operational leadership during Operation Sindoor on the Jammu frontier.
Heroic Leadership at the International Border
Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari commanded a border outpost situated just about 150 meters from a Pakistani post in the Pargwal forward area of the Akhnoor sector, Jammu district. Operating under intense conditions in what is described as “eyeball-to-eyeball” contact with enemy forces, she led her troops to successfully silence three forward hostile posts across the zero line, delivering a strong tactical response.
Commendation from COAS
On 30 May 2025, General Upendra Dwivedi personally felicitated Neha Bhandari, acknowledging her operational proficiency and courage during Operation Sindoor. The BSF Jammu unit confirmed the award on social media, highlighting her gallant command of a forward-deployed BSF company amid challenging combat conditions.
Women at the Forefront of Border Defense
Alongside Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari, six women constables manned gun positions at forward border posts, maintaining high morale and combat readiness. These women engaged enemy positions across the International Border in the Samba, R S Pura, and Akhnoor sectors, exemplifying dedication and valor under fire.
A Legacy of Service: A Third-Generation Officer
Neha Bhandari proudly represents a lineage of security forces personnel from Uttarakhand. She is the third generation in her family to serve in uniform. Her grandfather served in the Indian Army, while both her parents are officers in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Neha expressed pride in commanding her post and contributing to India’s border security with her team.
Proudly Serving the Nation
“I feel proud to be manning a post along the International Border with my troops. It is approximately 150 meters away from the Pakistani post in the Akhnoor-Pargwal area,” Neha said, highlighting the challenges and honor of her responsibility.
