NN Exclusive 'Hind Ke Himveer': Rajnath Singh spends New Year with ITBP troops stationed along Indo-China border

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is celebrating the New Year with Indo–Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) troops in Uttarakhand’s Nelong valley along the China border.

The Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans are trained to patrol the nation's borders in the mountainous Himalayan region along the Indo-China border in Uttaranchal, Himachal and Sikkim. The brave jawans not only have to combat the enemy threat but also brave the spine-chilling cold weather in the high altitude. 

With temperatures dipping below the freezing point, the ITBP soldiers display undaunting courage and spirit to brave all odds and guard the forward posts. Aptly given the title Hind Ke Himveer, News Nation's exclusive show takes stock of how the Para Military forces leave everything behind them to serve the country with honour and distinction.

This visit comes days after Chinese military said India should “strictly control” its troops. This would be the home minister’s second visit to the Sino–Indian border area in Uttarakhand after his 4-day tour of the region in September. It was one of the firsts by a senior minister in the Narendra Modi-led government to China border after the resolution of the stand-off in Dokalam.

Singh is celebrating the New Year with ITBP personnel at Nelong Border Outpost (BoP) situated at the height of 11,700 feet. The border outpost is in Nelong valley which is surrounded by high mountains and where the temperature dips upto minus 15 degrees Celsius.

The home minister is expected to reach ITBP’s 12th battalion headquarters in picturesque Matli, located at 3,400 feet on the banks of Bhagirathi river, where he will attend a cultural programme by jawans and their family members.

He will also visit PDA or Pulam Sumdha (altitude 14,200 feet), Kopang (8,700 feet) and Bhairon Ghati (9,150 feet), and will interact with jawans of the ITBP. He would be accompanied by ITBP Director General (DG) R K Pachnanda during his visit.