ITBP starts 7,000 km special patrol to mark golden jubilee

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police, which guards India's frontiers with China, has begun an over 7,000 km commemorative patrol covering border areas on the eastern frontier to mark the golden jubilee of its raising.

The border guarding troops, in a platoon formation of about 25 personnel, will cover a total of 7,283-kilometres as part of a 'relay' Long Range Patrol along the eastern flank of the country, meeting local people on its way.

The 'relay LRP' was flagged off from Kibithu -- a town on the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh -- in February and it will finish its journey at Dehradun some time in September this year.

States such as Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will be covered by the relay patrol.ITBP is the first line of defence for the 3,488-km long

Sino-Indian frontier which ranges from large plateau areas to icy heights at altitudes of 18,700 feet.

"The relay LRP has been organised in order to mark the 50 years of the raising of the force in 1962. The troops, during their patrol, will meet local population in border areas  and other locations and make them aware about the role and duties of the force," ITBP spokesperson Deepak Pandey said.

The members of the 'relay LRP' change after an interval of few kilometres and the forces' units at various locations provide them with logistics and other material during their journey.

The adventure sports-trained force has been conducting a number of activities to commemorate its golden jubilee year which includes a recent scaling of Mount Everest and ski down from the world's highest peak by its personnel. A rafting expedition has also been organised in the river Ganga.