NEW DELHI: Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said it was for women to take a call on serving alongside male soldiers in tough conditions and be a part of close combat roles.

Rawat said equal opportunities bring equal responsibilities to stress that women would have to operate in the same challenging conditions as men. He said a tank crew sleeps under the tank during the night and there are no separate toilets or accommodation.

He said soldiers are also required to go on long patrols that can sometimes stretch up to 35 days.

“Now at night, when you halt, all that happens is a blue sheet is pulled out and everybody sleeps on it together…If women are willing to move out in that environment, they need to take a call. Once they are willing to take this call, we will address this issue,” he added.