ITBP: Indo-Tibetan Border Police will observe its 61st raising day on October 24; All You Need to Know

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) will observe its 61st raising day on October 26, 2022. The ITBF was raised in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression in 1962. IT is one of the five bodies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

The ITBP keeps an eye on the northern borders and protects them from border violations.
The ITBP, from the dense forest of Arunachal Pradesh to the icy heights of the Himalayas, has performed with the utmost dedication. Their dedication and their commitment during times of disaster are extremely appreciable.

The ITBP was raised on October 24, 1962. The ITBP guards the 3,488 km long India-China border, which ranges from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.

ITBP has a major critical role in internal security as well as operations against the left-wing extremism in the state of Chhattisgarh.

Apart from this, many posts of ITBP's (BOPs) are situated at altitudes which range from around 9000 ft to 18,800 ft, and in the winter season the temperature falls down to around -45 °C.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force is a specialized armed police force. It trains its personnel in various fields, such as mountaineering and skiing.

ITBP also organizes relief and rescue operations as " First Responders" to the natural calamities in the Himalayan region. This force has shown measurable remark by providing relief and rescue operations over the years and protecting the citizens from different calamities.

ITBP has a splendid history of the past 6 decades. The ITBP jawans made a remarkable sacrifice for our country and the service of the nation.

What Are the Functions of the ITBP?

• To keep an eye on the northern borders, protecting them from border violations and promoting a sense of security among all the local population.
• Inspection of illegal immigration, trans-border smuggling and crimes
• Safeguarding sensitive installations, banks, and protected individuals
• Protecting and restoring the affected area during the disturbance

MULTIPLE FORCE FACTORS

• Right now, ITBP has been keeping an eye on the India-China border in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh states from Karakoram Pass in Jammu and Kashmir to Jechap La in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The Indo-Tibetan Border Force is also giving security to other installations which are of national level,which include Rashtrapati Bhawan, Vice Presidents House, Rumtek Monastery (Sikkim), Tihar Jail (New Delhi), LBSNAA (Uttarakhand), and various other installations which are situated in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
• In various parts of the country, there was an increase in Maoist activities. To thwart the Naxal menace from Rajnandgaon District situated in Chhattisgarh, ITBP was introduced. Right now, 8 Bns are deployed in Rajnandgaon, Narayanpur, and Kondagaon districts of Chhattisgarh.
• A well-trained and well-equipped team of top commandos was stationed in Afghanistan to provide security to the Indian Embassy in Kabul.
• ITBP has also gained expertise in UN peacekeeping operations. ITBP personnel travelled to Angola, Namibia, Cambodia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Camp Tigri, and New Delhi to provide professional training to Indian police officers in preparation for UN missions.
• During the Manasarovar Yatra since 1981, ITBP has provided security, communication and medical cover to the pilgrims from Gunjit to Lipulekh Pass and back to Gunji in co-ordination with MEA and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam. Since 2015, the Mansrovar Yatra has happened from the Nathual route. Pilgrims are also protected along this route by the ITBP.
• The ITBP is the first responder force for natural disasters in the Himalayas. The ITBP is the first force which established 7 Regional Response Centers and carried out many rescue and relief operations in the most disastrous situations. which has taken place in our area of responsibility as well as other parts of our country.
• The ITBP has saved many lives. The ITBP worked for 15 days on rescue operations, saving approximately 33,0009 pilgrims from a dire situation. It was a historic movement. Some of the Himveers laid down their lives by protecting the lives of the pilgrims in the helicopter crash on the 25th of June.

The origin of Indo-Tibetan Border Police

• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police force was raised on October 24, 1962, to restructure the frontier intelligence and security setup along the Indo-Tibetan border. At that time, there were only four battalions that were given approval to begin with. It was raised under the CRPF Act.
• Presently, the ITBF has 56 service battalions, 4 specialist battalions, 17 training centers, and 07 logistics establishments with a total strength of approximately 88,500 personnel.
• In the year 2004, in pursuance of GoM recommendations on "One Border, One Force", the entire stretch of the India-China border comprising 3488 km was assigned to the ITBP for border guarding duty and, accordingly, the ITBP replaced Assam Rifles in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in 2004.
• The objective of the force is "Shaurya-Dridhata-Karma Nishtha." The force earned a huge respect and got many awards, including Pdmashree-7, Kirti Chakra-2, Shaurya Chakra-6, Sena Medal-1, Presidents' Police Mewdal for Gallantry-19, Police Medal for Gallantry-131, Parakram Padak-93, President's Police and Fire Service Medals for Gallantry-2, Prime Minister's Life Saving Medal-88, Jeewan Raksha Padak-12, Sarvottam Jeewan Raksha Padak -02, Uttam Jeewan Raksha Padak -13, Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award-13, etc. for its uttam Jeewan Raksha Padak -13, Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award-13, etc.

Achievements of the ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police)

• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has been protecting the India-China border since it was established on October 24, 1962.
• At the time of the India-Pakistan War of 1971, the ITBP was deployed on the Western front.
• ITBP Commandos took over security at the time of the 9th Asian Games, which were held in New Delhi in 1981-1982 as a special responsibility. It has also performed the task of anti-terrorist security duty at the time of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 1983. And in the Non-Aligned Movement (1983), it worked as a security measure.
• In Punjab in 1987, the ITBP got the responsibility of stopping the bank robberies.
• From 1990 to 1994, the ITBP force was present in Jammu and Kashmir at the time of peak militancy, and it killed various top militants during the operations against terrorists.
• The ITBP was deployed from 2004 to 2928 to provide security for road construction in Afghanistan from Delaram to Zaranj. The force was present to protect BRO India's construction work. ITBP has deployed female personnel at its border since 2016, a step toward women's empowerment.
• ITBP's Marching Contingent has won the 'Best Marching Contingent' trophy six times during the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath. The ITBP tableau was showcased at the Republic Day Parade twice in 1998 and 2018.