The Indo-Tibetan Border Police has operationalised its newly sanctioned twin Commands in Chandigarh and Guwahati that supervise the deployment of its troops along the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
An order issued from the headquarters of the force here on June 3 said “an imperative need is felt to make these establishments functional immediately”.
Officials said the recent standoff between Indian and Chinese forces in the Ladakh area and other parts of the LAC is a major reason for the quick initiation of the two commands – western headquartered at Chandigarh and eastern at Guwahati – stipulated to be headed by an Additional Director General (ADG) rank officer, equivalent to a Lt Gen in the Army.
The about 90,000 personnel-strong force has also recently “reinforced” its strength in the border areas owing to the standoff with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The two commands were sanctioned by the Union Government in October last year for better operational functioning of the about 35-38 battalions of the force deployed at the China LAC, starting from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
The order said ITBP Inspector General (operations) M S Rawat will take over the charge of the western command in Chandigarh with immediate effect “in the capacity of ADG”.
He will continue to hold his charge of IG (Operations, Intelligence and Veterinary) till a new incumbent is posted, the order said.
Another IG rank officer will similarly head the Guwahati-based eastern command, they said, adding, the force is posting more officials there to fully activate it.
The commands will streamline operations, intelligence, deployment and administrative movements of ITBP personnel to the border regions and also bring better synergy with the Army that secures the LAC, they said. (PTI)
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