Chinese aggression renews border tensions in Arunachal; 'Ghatak' platoon ready for action

NEW DELHI: Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, the Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police, hinted at a likely face-off between India and China in Arunachal Pradesh. Tense situations prevail in several sectors. The newly formed 'Shaurya' commandos demonstrated valour during confrontations.

It is reported that tense encounters also occurred in Arunachal Pradesh amidst the BRICS summit held in Delhi last month. To prevent a recurrence of the 2020 Galwan conflict, special combat training—codenamed 'Strike'—has been initiated for troops stationed at the border. Furthermore, drone units will be established within every ITBP battalion.

Capabilities will also be enhanced in the areas of drone manufacturing, operation, and the monitoring of enemy movements. Kapoor further stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs granted in-principle approval for funding exceeding Rs 3,000 crore for drones and defence systems.

Given the intensifying conflict, the Army’s 'Ghatak' special assault units will head to Arunachal. Their mandate includes infiltrating enemy lines, capturing critical positions on mountain heights, and executing high-risk missions. It was the Ghatak unit that dealt a blow to China during the Galwan clash in June 2020. Since the use of weapons is prohibited for soldiers on both sides along the border, Ghatak forces, specially trained to use whatever is at hand as a weapon during combat, will be deployed.

In the Galwan clash, the Ghatak platoon retaliated by killing Chinese soldiers—breaking their necks.

Meanwhile, the opposition asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inform Parliament about the full restoration of India's patrolling rights in Arunachal and the actual situation along the border. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge demanded clarification of the results of the Modi-Xi Jinping meetings, BRICS-SCO summits and border talks.