Amid LAC tension, nod for 47 ITBP border outposts

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 24

In the wake of tension between Indian and Chinese troops, the Centre has given approval to the ITBP to set up 47 border outposts to increase vigil along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy today said the ITBP, in developments that took place over the last few months, had broken the myth of some countries that they had a powerful army. He said this in an indirect reference to the ongoing standoff between India and China in Ladakh.

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Addressing the paramilitary force’s personnel on the occasion of its 59th raising day here, the Minister said, “I am happy to inform that the ITBP has been given the approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish 47 border posts, besides acquiring special clothing and equipment for high-altitude locations. The work is on to prepare priority border roads for the force.”

Reddy said while India believed in the philosophy of ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ (world is one family), its culture taught it to worship both ‘shastra and astra’ (sacred scriptures and weapons) at the same time. “This has taught us that the enemy can raise its head anytime, anywhere and we should be fully prepared to face any possibility. The ITBP is an important pillar of that preparedness of the country,” Reddy noted.

“The armies of some countries had a myth that they were among the powerful armies of the world, but during the developments in the past few months, the ITBP has broken that myth,” the Minister said, adding that the country and its citizens were proud of the force’s valour and dedication. The ITBP is the designated force to guard the 3,488-km-long Sino-India LAC that runs from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

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