ITBP chief says Shaurya commandos ready as Arunachal border face‑offs continue

ITBP chief flags ongoing Arunachal face‑offs

On 23 October 2026, the director‑general of the Indo‑Tibetan Border Police addressed personnel at an ITBP base in Alwar, Rajasthan, ahead of the force’s 65th Raising Day. In his speech, the chief – identified in the Hindustan Times as Shatrujeet Kapur and in the Times of India as Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor – said the Shaurya commando teams had “exceeded expectations” during recent face‑offs with Chinese PLA units at several points in Arunachal Pradesh. He described the encounters as “ongoing” and stressed that the commandos would soon be embedded in every border battalion along the 3,488‑km Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Modernisation and capability boost

The ITBP chief also outlined a sweeping modernisation plan. The force has received Rs 400 crore from the centre, with 70 % earmarked for drone‑warfare capabilities. An in‑principle approval for a Rs 4,000 crore modernisation package – including Rs 1,000 crore for drone and anti‑drone systems – was noted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. New infrastructure projects, such as underground shelters and upgraded high‑altitude barracks, are under way to improve survivability in a potential conflict.

Political reaction

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh seized on the footage, posting on X that the government was “silent on this grave issue” and accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “softness toward China”. The ruling BJP has not issued a formal response, but party spokespeople have previously defended the government’s border policy, citing diplomatic mechanisms to avoid miscalculation, as noted by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Dalit student suicide in Coimbatore

In a separate, tragic development, 16‑year‑old Akhilan, a Dalit student from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, took his own life on 21 October 2026 after reportedly being bullied over his caste and food choices. The victim’s family said complaints to school authorities were ignored. Following protests, Tamil Nadu police booked four persons – two students, a teacher and the headmaster – under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The state SC‑ST commission has also taken cognisance and asked the police commissioner for a detailed probe.

Balancing security and rule of law

Both episodes underscore the government’s dual focus: strengthening frontier defence while upholding law‑and‑order at home. The ITBP’s readiness, backed by substantial funding and new technology, projects confidence in India’s ability to protect its borders. At the same time, swift police action under the SC‑ST Act demonstrates a commitment to address caste‑based violence and maintain social stability.