The number of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) posts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has been increased from 180 to 195 as part of plans to better operational capability and border management.
Noteworthy, the ITBP which comprises of about one-lakh personnel strong force is tasked with guarding the 3,488-km India-China LAC and has posts at heights ranging from 14,000-18,000 feet.
The Indian Government had recently sanctioned the raising of seven ITBP battalions.
Out of these, four have already been raised in Arunachal Pradesh.
Also, worth mentioning that for better border management, more forward bases have been created and the total number of border posts increased from 180 to 195 over a period of time.
About Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
The ITBP was raised on October 24, 1962 in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression.
At present, the ITBP guards 3,488 km long India-China borders ranging from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.
Apart from this, the Force also has important roles in many internal security duties and operations against the Left Wing Extremism in the state of Chhattisgarh.
Most of the ITBP’s Border Out Posts (BOPs) are located at altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to 18,800 ft where temperatures drop to minus 45 degrees Celsius in extreme winters.
ITBP is a specialized Armed Police Force of the Nation which trains its personnel in various disciplines including mountaineering and skiing apart from intensive tactical training, thereby creating a distinctive image of the Force.
ITBP also conducts relief and rescue operations as ‘First Responders’ for natural calamities in the Himalayan region.
