20 ITBP personnel awarded for gallantry in Ladakh highest number ever for border skirmishes

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 14

Twenty-three Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel have been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) on 75th Independence Day.

Out of these, as many as 20 have been awarded for bravery in skirmishes with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh during May-June, 2020.

This is the highest number of gallantry medals for ITBP awarded for bravery of its men in border face-offs, skirmishes and border guarding duties, an ITBP spokesman said.

Amongst the recipients, eight personnel have been awarded the PMG for gallant acts, meticulous planning and tactical insightfulness and for defending Indian territory in Galwan Nullah on June 15, 2020.

Six personnel have been awarded PMG for gallant action during the violent face-off on May 18, 2020, in Finger-IV area. Another six personnel have been awarded with PMG for their gallant action near Hot Springs in Ladakh on May 18, 2020.

Besides, three persons have been awarded with PMG for displaying courage, grit and determination during anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh.

In eastern Ladakh, the ITBP troops not only effectively used shields to protect themselves but also responded fiercely to advancing Chinese PLA troops and brought the situation under control during fierce face-offs and skirmishes. They fought shoulder to shoulder and also evacuated injured troops to the rear.

Even when the ITBP troops fought through the whole night, they received minimum casualties by giving a befitting reply to the stone-pelters of the PLA.

Due to the high-altitude training and survival experience of the force in the Himalayan deployments at the icy heights, the ITBP troops kept the PLA troops at bay and due to the all-out and befitting response of ITBP troops at several fronts, many areas were safeguarded, the spokesman said.

Besides these gallantry awards, 300 ITBP personnel have already been conferred Director General’s Commendation Roll and Insignia for bravery and devotion to duty.