Major Kira Nerys, played by Nana Visitor, was a member of the Bajoran militia. She spent most of her early years on Bajor, fighting the oppressive Cardassian occupation of her homeworld. When Starfleet took over operation of Terok Nor, the old Cardassian mining station, Kira was assigned as ranking Bajoran officer, and became Ben Sisko's second-in-command.