ITBP chief visits Ladakh border posts, gives away awards for gallantry

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 4

Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) on Friday awarded on the spot Commendation Rolls and Discs for gallantry to ITBP personnel deployed in Eastern Ladakh during his visit to border outposts (BOPs) in that sector.

In his first visit to Ladakh based units, the ITBP chief, SS Deswal, met the force’s jawans deployed in the border areas and awarded them for their actions during the face offs and border skirmishes with the Chinese that took place in May and June in Eastern Ladakh. 

A total 291 ITBP personnel, including three Deputy Inspectors General, were honoured by the ITBP chief during his weeklong visit to various locations. 

The efforts of the field commanders and the jawans were highly appreciated by him In the Sainik Sammelans held during his tour. He praised the jawans for their courage under challenges and adverse conditions. The ITBP had announced the award for these jawans on the eve of Independence Day, 2020.

The ITBP Director General was on a visit to the BOPs located on the borders of Ladakh and reached out to most of the high altitude BOPs via land route, at some places by crossing 17,500 feet.  

The visit was primarily by road involving 10-12 hours travels every day for six days. He spent six nights at the BOPs, where he interacted and discussed various issues with field commanders of ITBP and Army.

Deswal praised ITBP troops for their bravery they exhibited at the time of need despite many challenges posed by the terrain, weather and other difficult conditions, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the Indian Army.

He also emphasised on maintaining endurance and professional skills of the troops by rigorous training. He was accompanied by Daljit Singh Chawdhary, IG (Headquarters), Manoj Singh Rawat, IG (Operations) and Deepam Seth, IG, Northwest Frontier.