Inside India's Internal Wars: Punjab, Kashmir & Naxalism | Former CRPF IGs

FRONTLINE CONVERSATIONS | MAJOR L.S. CHAUDHARY What does it take to confront terrorism, militancy and insurgency across different theatres of India’s internal security—and what happens when women officers enter institutions traditionally dominated by men? In this rare and wide-ranging conversation, Major L.S. Chaudhary brings together two retired Inspector Generals of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), IG A.K. Sharma and IG Usha Kiran, for an in-depth discussion on India’s internal security challenges, counter-terrorism operations and the evolution of the CAPFs. Drawing on their professional experiences, they discuss the changing nature of internal conflicts in India, from Punjab militancy to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, urban counter-terrorism in Srinagar, and the continuing challenges of Left-Wing Extremism and Naxalism. The conversation also examines the pioneering journey of women in the CAPFs. IG Usha Kiran shares perspectives on the challenges faced by women officers entering a male-dominated operational environment, their evolving responsibilities, and the role they played in supporting security operations and addressing allegations and legal challenges faced by personnel on the ground. Other key themes include: • Punjab Militancy: Lessons from one of India’s defining internal-security challenges. • Kashmir and Counter-Terrorism: The complexities of operating in Srinagar and the wider Jammu and Kashmir theatre. • Women in Uniform: The early experiences, professional challenges and changing operational roles of women in the CAPFs. • Naxalism and Left-Wing Extremism: The operational, institutional and strategic challenges confronting security forces. • Leadership in the CAPFs: The role of IPS officers and directly recruited cadre officers in senior command appointments. • Institutional Leadership: How command structures, operational experience and ground realities shape the effectiveness of India’s security forces. This is a conversation about more than operations. It is about institutions, leadership, the evolution of India’s internal security response, and the people who served through some of its most demanding periods. Watch this edition of Frontline Conversations with Major L.S. Chaudhary for a substantive discussion with two senior former CRPF officers. Subscribe to Major LSC for first-hand military experiences, leadership lessons, national security discussions and conversations that preserve important stories for future generations. Follow Major LSC YouTube:    / @majorlsc   Instagram:   / major_lsc   #CRPF #InternalSecurity #MajorLSC Join Inner Circle:    / @majorlsc   Follow Major LSC: Instagram:   / major_lsc   X: https://x.com/majorlsc Facebook:   / majorlsc   LinkedIn:   / majorlsc   Business Enquiries: business@majorlsc.com