Rajnath Singh hints no ITBP deployment with BSF in Jammu

Singh inaugurated the headquarters of 47th Battalion of ITBP in Kagwal area of Samba district

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday indirectly denied reports about deployment of ITBP on the international border between India and Pakistan in Jammu region in addition to the BSF.

"Indo-TIbetan Border Police (ITBP) is deployed on the LAC (line of actual control) between India and China in the Ladakh region. ITBP Himalaya ki goad ki raksha karti hai (ITBP guards the lap of the Himalayas for the country)," the minister said while inaugurating the headquarters of 47th Battalion of ITBP in Kagwal area of Samba district.

"Since Kathua is the entry point to reach the lap of the Himalayas (Ladakh region) in the state, where the ITBP guards the LAC, it is necessary to station a battalion of this force at the entry point to reach the Himalayas," he added.

Rajnath Singh's statement thus indirectly dismissed reports about plans to augment Border Security Force (BSF) strength by deploying the ITBP on the international border in Jammu region.

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh and directors general of the ITBP and BSF were present at the inaugural function.

Rajnath Singh is scheduled to fly to Leh town on Monday afternoon to take stock of the situation on the LAC between India and China in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

He arrived in Jammu earlier on Monday on a three-day visit to the state.