New Delhi: A total of 260 indo-Tibetan border police personnel (ITBP) were awarded the Special Minister of Union operating medal on Sunday to provide extraordinary services during the ongoing military deadlock with PLA China in East Ladakh.
The home ministry issued a naming of a total of 397 personnel from various state police and central forces for the award.
A spokesman for ITBP said the award was given to his troops in recognition of “persistent courage and dedication to the task” shown by them in East Ladakh between May, 2020 and February this year.
In 260, it was the highest number of awards given to the police in one way.
“ITBP personnel protect the boundaries in Ladakh in extreme conditions through its ‘Snow Leopard’ operation at the height of the ice.
The power of conducting high-level strategic planning and implementation of efficient land operations with complete synergy and collaboration between all your organizations.” Said the spokesman in a statement.
Former Commander of The West-West Frontier ITBP based in Leh, Inspector General (IG) Deepam Seth, is among the recipients.
Seth, now posted at the border headquarters here, also a member of the Indian delegation for 10 highs of the highest military commander (SHMC) with the Chinese border commander.
Informing about the award, the spokesman said “ITBP special operations spread more than a year and involved the level of implementation of strategic planning and efficient basic operations.” “In addition, it also includes logistics inventory on time and adequately to the front location for troops,” he said.
The government last year has given a police medal for Gallantry (PMG) to 20 officers and ITBP personnel to display courage during a military deadlock and clash of violence with PLA Chinese personnel.
About 90,000 powerful ITBP personnel were raised in 1962 after China’s aggression and was mainly assigned to maintain 3,488 km of Indian-China line from actual control (LAC).
Some of the posts on the LAC are located as high as 18,800 feet.
The Special Operation Medal of the Union Home Minister was examined in 2018 and was given for special operations in fields such as counter-terrorism, acts of border, weapons control, prevention of narcotics smuggling operations and rescue.