‘No specific incident’: ITBP chief’s remarks reflect routine preparedness, deployment

Remarks by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur about the situation along the China border relate to routine operational preparedness and troop deployment, sources said, amid a commotion over his comments. They stressed that the remarks were not linked to any specific incident.

The ITBP, which guards India’s border with China, operates in accordance with government policies, instructions issued under different circumstances and established standard operating procedures, the sources said.

The paramilitary force may issue an official statement on the matter soon.

ITBP chief reports face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh

Kapur said on Thursday that face-offs with Chinese troops had occurred at several locations along the border in Arunachal Pradesh in recent days and that the situation was continuing.

“In the past few days, a situation arose where face-offs happened at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, and it still continues,” Kapur told ITBP personnel at a force base in Alwar, Rajasthan.

The ITBP chief, who is due to retire at the end of this month, also highlighted the formation of a new combat unit, the Shaurya Commandos. He said the personnel had demonstrated their capabilities during the ongoing face-offs with Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh.

Kapur said the commandos would be deployed in every border battalion, strengthening the force’s operational capabilities and giving it a distinct identity.

ITBP guards 3,488-km India-China border

Established in 1962, the ITBP is responsible for guarding the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. The force plays a key role in securing the Himalayan frontier, where difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions pose significant operational challenges.

Kapur’s remarks come as India and China continue efforts to stabilise bilateral relations following years of military tensions along the LAC.

Last month, Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani said at the NDTV Defence Summit that the situation along the border was stable and there was no cause for concern.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also stressed last week that maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas was essential to normalising relations between the two countries. He cautioned that any disruption along the frontier would have consequences for bilateral ties.

India-China relations after Ladakh standoff

India and China have been working to rebuild relations since reaching an understanding in October 2024 to resolve the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. The confrontation had continued for more than four years and severely strained ties between the two countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India on September 12–13 to attend the BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to the country in seven years. He also held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review relations and discuss ways to improve cooperation.

(with IANS inputs)