Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 8

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) has brought out the first-ever book detailing its history and role. It was released by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the ITBP Academy in Mussoorie on Sunday.

Tittled ‘History of ITBP’, the book has been published to make a reference volume of factual history and knowledge available to officers and jawans, which will also be useful for administrative and training purposes for in depth details about the force.

There was no such book on the ITBP available till this publication. It contains historical achievements of the force since its inception and reflects different facts and facets about developments in the force over the years. Approximately 1,000 exclusive historical photographs have been included in the book.

The 640-page volume has been prepared after extensive research over a couple of years. It includes various landmarks of the ITBP in last six decades such as its role in border management, important benchmarks, reforms, restructuring and administrative changes, bank security duties in Punjab during the 80s and 90s, counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, duties in left wing extremism affected state of Chhattisgarh, achievements in training, sports and adventurous sports as well as rescue and relief operations conducted by the ITBP.

Prepared by the operations branch and public relations office of the force, the book will be provided to all ITBP formations and training centres. Based on feedback, future editions will be published in the due course as and when needed.

Raised on October 24, 1962, in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression, the history of the ITBP is still little known. The book includes decade wise history, history of various important arms of the Force, relevant accounts of retired officials and appendices and is supported by detailed bibliography.

The ITBP is responsible for management of the 3,844-km long border with China along the Himalayas in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, manning posts at an altitude of up to 21,000 feet.