54 new ITBP posts along China border

Manoj Anand, The Asian Age | November 17, 2014

Following the frequent reports of incursions by the Peoples Liberation Army of China in Indian territory, the Central government has decided to set up at least 54 new border out-posts of the Indo-Tibetan border police along the International Border with China in Arunachal Pradesh.

Disclosing that this was in addition to nearly 40 existing BOPs of the ITBP, authoritative security sources told this newspaper that ITBP has also sought dedicated aerial back up support to intensify vigil along the Indo-China border.

Clarifying that China has constant refrain for incursions as perception of MacMohan line between the two countries differs, security sources said that ITBP has also been asked to raise at least six new battalions to make their presence felt along the international border.

Admitting that poor infrastructure was the biggest stumbling block for the border guarding forces, security sources said that government has also decided to set up border meeting points to enhance interaction between the two forces.

Pointing out that some of the ITBP posts are located in places where temperature dip to 40°C, security sources said that ITBP has placed the proposal for air support in order to increase their efficiency in such isolated areas and evacuate its soldiers in case of any emergency.

Informing that government has been asked to intensify their exercise at diplomatic level to define the border between the two countries, security sources said that ITBP has also been asked to increase their efforts on coordination with local border villages.

Security sources said that local villagers are the biggest contributor in intelligence gathering in the remote areas of Arunachal along the IB.