65th Raising Day of Indo-Tibetan Border Police

#GS-3 #Defence Technology #Security Forces and Their Mandate #Rapid Fire CA #Quick Facts For Prelims

Key takeaways

The ITBP was raised on 24th October 1962 during the India-China War and operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
It guards 3,488 km of the sensitive India-China border stretching from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.
In 2004, under the “One Border, One Force” principle, ITBP became the sole force guarding the entire border with China.
Its personnel, known as Himveers, serve in extreme high-altitude posts up to 18,800 feet where temperatures reach -45°C.

The Prime Minister shared warm greetings with the personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on their 65th Raising Day, praising their continuous bravery and dedication toward protecting our national frontiers.
The government created this force on 24th October 1962 right during the India-China War to reinforce border defense.
It functions directly under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as one of India's specialized Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) units.

Parliament gave statutory basis to this unit through the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992.
The force guards roughly 3,488 km along the entire India-China border, starting from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh down to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.
Following the “One Border, One Force” principle in 2004, the government entrusted ITBP with guarding the full line, taking over former Assam Rifles positions in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
The organization works under its official motto “Shaurya-Dridhata-Karma Nishtha”, which translates to Valour, Steadfastness, and Dedication to Duty.

People fondly call these brave officers Himveers because they receive expert training in high-altitude survival, mountaineering, skiing, and tactical combat.
They operate Border Outposts located at freezing heights between 9,000 to 18,800 feet, where winter temperatures routinely drop down to -45°C.

They stop cross-border illegal activities like smuggling, human trafficking, and unauthorized entries across difficult mountain borders.
The force leads emergency search and rescue efforts along with disaster relief missions in fragile Himalayan zones.
They handle internal security duties and actively fight Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in Chhattisgarh.
The central government routinely assigns them to guard vital strategic installations and high-profile individuals.