ITBP recommends 21 for awards for taking on PLA

NEW DELHI: In recognition of the “raw courage” displayed by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel during skirmishes with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh — which started well before the June 15 clash in Galwan Valley — the paramilitary force has recommended 21 of its bravehearts for gallantry medals and honoured 294 others with the director general’s commendation rolls and insignias.
ITBP said the faceoffs and skirmishes with Chinese forces took place through May and June. As per sources, these standoffs and skirmishes were mainly concentrated in the patrolling point areas, with some lasting as long as 17-20 hours and through the night. The skirmishes, TOI has learnt, involved heavy stone-pelting by the Chinese forces and occasionally, hand-to-hand fights.
A source said there were at least 6-7 major faceoffs/skirmishes with the People’s Liberation Army during May-June, in some of which ITBP personnel were injured. ITBP on Friday said its troops and Army personnel fought together and ITBP also brought injured Army soldiers to the rear. As per the ITBP statement, its troops not only effectively used shields to protect themselves but also responded fiercely to advancing PLA troops and brought the situation under control.
Even when the ITBP troops fought the whole night, they received minimum casualties by giving befitting reply to the stone-pelters of the PLA.Crediting its high-altitude training and manoeuvre experience in Himalayan deployments, ITBP said its troops could keep the PLA at bay. “Due to the all-out and befitting response of ITBP jawans at almost all fronts, many areas were safeguarded in the hyper-sensitive areas,” it added. Meanwhile, six ITBP personnel have been awarded for their courage in anti-Naxal operations Chhattisgarh.