Govt announces ''high-altitude medal'' for border troops

Greater Noida, October 28

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday announced new “high-altitude medals” for border guards deployed in terrains that are more than 9,000 feet high.

Making the announcement at the 55th Raising Day celebrations of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Singh said the medal would also given to the troopers of the Border Security Force (Indo-Pak, Indo-Bangla border-guarding force) and the Sashastra Sena Bal (Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border guarding force) among others.

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"We got to know that there were some difficulties in awarding the high-altitude medals to the personnel working at border outposts located above the height of 9,000 ft. So, we have decided that now all jawans and officers who work at a height of 9,000 ft and above will be awarded with the high -altitude medal," he said.

Border guards have been demanding such a medal, which is aimed at boosting morale of those serving in tough terrain under harsh conditions, for some time now.

"I am aware of the adverse conditions the ITBP personnel face while discharging their duties," he said. "I have seen ITBP personnel working in tough, adverse conditions and even that could not dampen their morale. They have carried out all responsibilities they were entrusted with," he said

Established in 1962, the ITBP’s 90,000 border guards are stationed along the 3,488-km Sino-India border that goes through five states from Karakoram Pass in Jammu and Kashmir to Jechap La in Arunachal Pradesh.

Many ITBP posts are located between 9,000-14,500 feet high. — PTI