Nepal armed police battalion HQ set up across U’khand border

PITHORAGARH: Nepal has set up a battalion headquarter for its Armed Police Force (APF) at Darchula, which borders Uttarakhand’s Dharchula district, reports Prem Punetha.
On Monday, Nepalese commandant in-charge Narandra Bam took over the charge at the new facility. Nepal’s move is reportedly aimed at strengthening its border security along Kali river in Darchula. Prior to this, only a company of APF used to guard its borders in the district.
“The strength of the battalion will be increased after more deployment,” Bam told TOI.
The step comes in the wake of border tensions between the two nations which were fueled after defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the almost 80-km long Kailash Mansarovar road on May 8. Since then the Nepal government has been constantly increasing vigilance along the Indo-Nepal border at several areas like Chhangru, Dumling, Darchula, Jauljibi, Lali, Jhulaghat etc. Sources said that plans are afoot to set up more border outposts.