]Army may replace ITBP on Sino-India border
In a significant move aimed at countering the increasing threat and incidents of incursion by China’s People’s Liberation Army, the government is contemplating replacing the ITBP with the Army, particularly in the Ladakh sector, where the maximum number of incidents of incursion have been reported over the last few months.
The Army’s role in handling the recent crisis at Chumar has come in for appreciation as it took a tough stand on the issue, not letting the PLA troops initimidate its soldiers. The Army had even successfully managed to set up an observation hut at a strategic location in the Chumar region from where it could closely monitor all activities of the Chinese troops. Top government sources said it was the Army’s prompt and immediate action that put a complete check on PLA’s plans for any further advancement into Indian territory.
Thus, there is now a growing view among the highest quarters in the government that the Army and not the ITBP should be made the “first line of defence” along the Sino-India border. During the ongoing Chumar crisis also, several rounds of discussions were held between national security adviser Ajit Doval and top officials from the ministries of defence and home where the assessment was that the Army should replace the ITBP, particularly in the Ladakh region. The NSA had been personally monitoring the standoff between the Indian and the Chinese security forces in Chumar. The ITBP, the paramilitary force which is primarily responsible for guarding the Sino-India border, however, would remain deployed along other areas in Uttarakhand and Northeast. “Since the Chinese take advantage of the fact that there is no clear demarcation along the Line of Actual Control and enter Indian territory, there is a feeling that the Army’s presence will act as a huge deterrent. This argument has been strengthened following the tactful handling of the situation in Chumar by the Army,” a senior government functionary said.
Sources said while broadly there was consensus on increasing the Army’s presence along the LAC and the border in Ladakh sector, there were certain logistical issues that had to be taken care of before a formal decision is taken. “The adequate availability of troops without adversely affecting the functioning of the security forces is one of the key issues that is being looked into. So the exercise may take some time,” the official added.
Army may replace ITBP on Sino-India border | The Asian Age
In a significant move aimed at countering the increasing threat and incidents of incursion by China’s People’s Liberation Army, the government is contemplating replacing the ITBP with the Army, particularly in the Ladakh sector, where the maximum number of incidents of incursion have been reported over the last few months.
The Army’s role in handling the recent crisis at Chumar has come in for appreciation as it took a tough stand on the issue, not letting the PLA troops initimidate its soldiers. The Army had even successfully managed to set up an observation hut at a strategic location in the Chumar region from where it could closely monitor all activities of the Chinese troops. Top government sources said it was the Army’s prompt and immediate action that put a complete check on PLA’s plans for any further advancement into Indian territory.
Thus, there is now a growing view among the highest quarters in the government that the Army and not the ITBP should be made the “first line of defence” along the Sino-India border. During the ongoing Chumar crisis also, several rounds of discussions were held between national security adviser Ajit Doval and top officials from the ministries of defence and home where the assessment was that the Army should replace the ITBP, particularly in the Ladakh region. The NSA had been personally monitoring the standoff between the Indian and the Chinese security forces in Chumar. The ITBP, the paramilitary force which is primarily responsible for guarding the Sino-India border, however, would remain deployed along other areas in Uttarakhand and Northeast. “Since the Chinese take advantage of the fact that there is no clear demarcation along the Line of Actual Control and enter Indian territory, there is a feeling that the Army’s presence will act as a huge deterrent. This argument has been strengthened following the tactful handling of the situation in Chumar by the Army,” a senior government functionary said.
Sources said while broadly there was consensus on increasing the Army’s presence along the LAC and the border in Ladakh sector, there were certain logistical issues that had to be taken care of before a formal decision is taken. “The adequate availability of troops without adversely affecting the functioning of the security forces is one of the key issues that is being looked into. So the exercise may take some time,” the official added.
Army may replace ITBP on Sino-India border | The Asian Age
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