INDO-TIBETAN BORDER POLICE - An Overview

Indo-Tibetan Border Police was raised on October 24, 1962 in the wake of Chinese aggression for reorganizing the frontier intelligence and security set up along the Indo-Tibetan Border covering 2115 kms from Karakoram pass to Lipulekh pass. Only 04 Battalions were sanctioned to begin with. In view of the additional responsibilities and redefined task in 1976, the Force was restructured in 1978 to 09 service Battalions with 04 specialist Battalions and 02 training Centers. With additional tasks entrusted to ITBP from time to time on border guarding, counter insurgency and Internal Security roles, the number of ITBP Battalions increased gradually.

          As on date the Force headed by the Director General(DG) with Headquarters at New Delhi consists of 49 service battalions, 4 specialized Battalions and 14 regular Training Centers. ITBP has 05 Frontiers headed by Inspectors General(IG), 14 Sectors HQ headed by Dy. Inspectors Generals (DIGS). Presently 22 Battalions of ITBP are guarding 3488 kms on the entire stretch of Indo-China border in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh States from Karakoram pass to Jechap La. The Force is manning 142 Border Out Posts (BOPs) at an altitude ranging from 9000' to 18750' in the Western, Middle & Eastern Sector of Indo-China Border. Most of the forward posts remain cut off by surface route during winter months. The Border posts are located in extreme high altitude area which are exposed to the fury and violence of nature in the shape of high velocity storms, snow blizzards, avalanches and landslides, besides the hazards of high altitude and extreme cold, where temperature falls up to minus 40 degree Celsius.

       Ethos of ITBP is fully expressed by its motto i.e. Valour, Steadfastness and Commitment. An ITBP personnel is true to his salt, steadfast in his duty and undeterred by adverse conditions whether climatic or otherwise. Improvisation and maximum utilization of available resources have become the creed of this Force. Never to refuse a legitimate task and to carry it out with heart and soul, till the last drop of blood is the ethos ingrained in every ITBP officer and personnel.

News & Events