Indo-Tibetan Border Police
The Indo Tibetan Border Police Force was conceived on October 24, 1962 for the security of the frontiers along the Indo-Tibetan Border covering 2115 kms from Karakoram Pass to Lipulekh Pass and Tri junction of India, Nepal and China. Initially, only four battalions were assigned with filling up the security vacuum that was prevalent at that time along the Indo-Tibet border. Later in view of additional responsibilities and a task redefined in 1976, the Force was restructured in 1978.
The ITBP was initially raised under the CRPF Act, however in 1992, the parliament enacted the ITBPF Act, and rules thereunder were framed in 1994. ITBP is a multi-dimensional force and is tasked with:
- Vigil on northern borders, detection and prevention of border violation, and promotion of sense of security among the local populace.
- Check illegal immigration, trans-border smuggling and crimes.
- Security to sensitive installations, banks and protected persons.
- Restore and preserve order in any area in the event of disturbance.
In its border vigil task, the ITBP mans forward border posts at altitudes ranging from 9000 to 18000 feet. Most of the forward posts remain cut off by the surface route during winter months. The border posts are exposed to the fury and violence of nature like snow blizzards, avalanches, landslides, besides the hazards of high altitude and extreme cold where temperature normally remains below minus 40 degrees Celsius.
The force, besides guarding the border, is heavily engaged in fighting Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The "Himveers", as the personnel are nicknamed, also provide security cover to installations and to VIPs in Delhi. Each year ITBP personnel are deployed to UN Peace Keeping Missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Herzegovina, Angola & Western Sahara.
From the ranks of ITBP come world class mountaineers who have scaled more than a hundred Himalayan peaks, including the Mount Everest, four times. Its skiers have been national champions and have taken part in the Winter Olympics. Its river rafters have rafted through the turbulent white waters of the Brahmaputra, the Indus and the Ganga.
The Force became the first Central Para-Military Force to grab up the Best Marching Contingent Trophy in the Republic Day parades in 1998, 1999 and 2000. In 1998, it sent the first ever police tableau of the country to participate in the Republic Day Parade.
The ITBP is at the forefront of the movement for the preservation of Himalayan environment & ecology. ITBP has taken up the task of greening the Himalayan regions especially in Inner Himalayas. Being the only human presence in these forward areas, it has taken on itself the task of maintaining the delicate balance of flora and fauna.
ITBP being deployed in mountains has developed expertise in mountain rescue & relief operations, which entail different specialized skills of very high standard. ITBP extends rescue & relief in case of natural calamity. ITBP conducts a large number of medical civic action programmes in remote border and terrorist affected areas to provide free and expert medical, health and hygiene care to the civilian population in remote villages.
The ITBP is the only police force in the country that possesses expertise in policing the mountains of the Himalayas.
The annual pilgrimage to MOUNT KAILAS and HOLY MANSAROVAR LAKE in Tibet (China) is conducted under the wings of ITBP.
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