ITBP strength to be increased

Kaul said that with another four battalions being moved to the Valley, the ITBP presence there has gone up to 15 battalions, which is half its strength. He said that the ITBP is replacing the BSF, which is being pulled out to be re-deployed on the Indo-Bangladesh border to curb the growing infiltration of Bangla migrants. Some of the battalions sent there had earlier been deployed for internal security duties in Punjab.

While ruling out that additional deployment in the Valley would affect the task of manning the Indo-Tibetan border, he stated: 8220;We are meant for the Himalayas and have gone back to the Himalayas.8221; The 8220;kill rate8221; of the ITBP in the Valley, Kaul said, is the highest among all security forces deployed in the valley. Kill rate is the ratio of the enemy killed to one8217;s own8217;s casualties.

The reason for this, he added, is that the basic role of the ITBP operations is in the mountain and it is the only force which is trained in mountain guerrilla warfare. Operations in an area covering about half the Valley is the responsibility of the ITBP. Kaul, however, ruled out any proposal of setting up an ITBP training centre in Himachal Pradesh, as was reported earlier. He said that the ITBP had not forwarded any such proposal to the government as the Basic Training Centre at Bhanu near here fulfills its requirements.

Meanwhile, a vast variety of goods from all over the region have been put up for sale at the mela. As many as 28 stalls have been set up by the ITBP, Himachal, Punjab and the Haryana police. Carpets, cotton and woollen ready made garments, gift items, decorative pieces, brassware, and other novelty items from Kinaur, Garhwal and Kumaon are all there for the choosing.

Special attractions were several historic weapons brought in from the ITBP academy, the origin of some of which dates back to the Second World War and were either captured or used by the ITBP in the 1962 operations. The display of the wide spectrum of mountaineering and skiing equipment also attracted crowds.

The exhibition-cum-mela, which will continue till April 18, was inaugurated by Rita Kaul, Chairperson, ITBP Family Welfare. A cultural programme, dog show and judo demonstration were also organised.