HISAR, Feb 26(TOI): The Army may not have decided to give permanent commission to women or allow them combat roles but Major Mitali Madhusmita has made history by becoming the first woman officer to win a Sena Medal for gallantry.

History was created on Friday morning at Yodha Hall of the Southwestern Command when the GOC-in-C, Lt General SK Singh, pinned the medal on Maj Mitali.

An officer in the education corps, she was recognized for exemplary courage, grit and valour displayed by her after the terror attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul on February 26, 2010, that killed 19 people, including seven Indians.

The officer, who was on a UN mission, had rushed to the attack site and helped in saving lives of those severely wounded in the attack. Impressed with Major Mitali's valour beyond the call of duty, Lt Gen Singh praised the woman officer's bravery during his special address to the soldiers of Southwestern Command. On this occasion, he also awarded eight other officers with the Sena Medal (gallantry).

The officer's mother, Anjali Dass, a retired professor of economics, said she wanted Mitali to become a lecturer after completing her masters in English literature but she preferred to join the Army. "Today she has made me proud by achieving this feat," she said. Mitali, a NCC cadet during college days, is the eldest of three sisters, and her siblings are working in the corporate sector.