India has strengthened its border preparedness along Arunachal Pradesh after the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief confirmed that face-offs with Chinese troops were continuing at several locations along the frontier. The force has deployed its newly raised Shaurya commandos in the sensitive region, with the elite teams receiving praise for their performance during the ongoing confrontations.
ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor made the remarks while addressing personnel at an investiture ceremony in Alwar, Rajasthan, ahead of the force’s 65th Raising Day on October 24. His comments on October 22, reported on Friday, October 23, brought fresh attention to continuing tensions along the India-China border.
Kapoor said face-offs had occurred at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh in recent days and that some situations remained unresolved. He praised the Shaurya commandos for their work during these encounters, highlighting the force’s efforts to improve its specialised combat capabilities in high-altitude areas.
The remarks come amid continuing military and diplomatic engagement between India and China to manage tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Shaurya commandos are a newly raised specialised combat unit within the ITBP, the force responsible for guarding India’s 3,488-km-long LAC with China. The unit is being developed to improve the force’s ability to respond to difficult border situations, particularly in mountainous terrain where weather, altitude and difficult access can complicate operations.
Kapoor said the ITBP had raised one Shaurya commando team in every battalion, while two additional teams had also been constituted. The force plans to establish a full commando company in every battalion and create a separate battalion dedicated to commando operations.
The ITBP’s Operations Wing is working on the organisational framework for the expansion. The proposed structure would give the force a dedicated elite formation for specialised high-altitude combat and border operations.
The emphasis on specialist units reflects the changing nature of border security. Personnel operating along the LAC must be prepared for difficult terrain, rapidly changing weather and face-offs that can escalate if not managed carefully.
The ITBP is also developing a specialised training programme called the ‘Strike’ course to prepare personnel for violent confrontations similar to the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
The Galwan incident in eastern Ladakh resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and marked a major deterioration in India-China relations. The confrontation exposed the dangers of close-quarter encounters along the disputed border and reinforced the need for specialised training.
Kapoor said the entire ITBP force would undergo the new training by the end of 2027. The programme is intended to improve personnel’s ability to respond to difficult combat situations while operating in challenging border conditions.
The force is also modernising its weapons, vehicles and border infrastructure. Kapoor said some weapons currently used by personnel were decades old, making equipment upgrades an important part of the modernisation effort.
Drone and anti-drone technology has become another priority for the ITBP. Kapoor said drone platoons had been established in all border-guarding battalions, while the force was training drone pilots and working on producing drones in-house.
The ITBP has received a modernisation allocation of around ₹400 crore, of which approximately 70% has been earmarked for drone-related capabilities. A larger modernisation scheme worth ₹3,500 crore to ₹4,000 crore has also received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Of this, around ₹1,000 crore is expected to be allocated to drones and anti-drone systems.
The force is also constructing underground shelters at border outposts. Such facilities could offer personnel greater protection during hostile situations, when structures above ground may be vulnerable to attacks.
These measures are part of a wider plan to develop the ITBP into a specialised high-altitude mountain-fighting force, with capabilities tailored to the difficult conditions along the China border.
The latest face-offs come after Indian and Chinese military commanders held talks on September 6 at the Wacha-Damai border meeting point in Arunachal Pradesh. The discussions followed reports of tensions in the Taksing area and a series of meetings between local commanders on both sides.
Indian troops continue to maintain a significant presence in the area to prevent further escalation. The latest developments highlight the challenges of managing border disputes even as both countries pursue dialogue to maintain peace along the LAC.
The Congress has also questioned the government’s response to reports of renewed tensions. The party has sought clarity on the situation along the Arunachal Pradesh frontier, including reports of restrictions on Indian patrolling in certain areas.
India and China have differing perceptions of parts of the LAC, and these competing claims have periodically resulted in face-offs. Military-level discussions remain an important mechanism for addressing local disputes and preventing confrontations from escalating into wider conflicts.
The creation of Shaurya commandos is part of a wider effort to strengthen the ITBP’s operational readiness. Alongside specialised combat training, the force is upgrading equipment, improving mobility and investing in infrastructure suited to extreme weather and high-altitude deployment.
Kapoor has emphasised that conventional methods alone may not be sufficient to meet emerging security challenges, particularly as drones and other modern technologies reshape military operations.
The latest developments indicate that India is seeking to combine a stronger frontline presence with improved technology, specialised personnel and better protection for border outposts. With face-offs continuing at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh, the ITBP’s expanded capabilities are expected to play an important role in India’s border security strategy.
