ITBP strengthens LAC border defence with drones, Shaurya commandos and underground bunkers

India’s border defence along the 3,488-kilometre Line of Actual Control is receiving a major tactical upgrade as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) deploys dedicated drone platoons, elite Shaurya commando units and fortified underground bunkers to forward posts.

The high-altitude border force has initiated a systematic modernisation program designed to enhance surveillance, rapid response and force protection across northern and eastern sectors. ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor confirmed that every border-guarding battalion now incorporates a specialized drone platoon, with comprehensive pilot training and technical development underway.

Modernisation funding and tactical capability

To power these technological upgrades, the force has received an initial outlay of ₹400 crore, allocating 70 per cent directly to drone warfare capabilities. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also granted in-principle approval for a broader ₹4,000 crore modernisation plan, which includes ₹1,000 crore dedicated specifically to drone and anti-drone technologies.

Alongside technological assets, the ITBP has raised Shaurya commando platoons within its ranks. Modelled in part on the Indian Army's Ghatak platoons, these specialized teams receive advanced instruction in mountain warfare, high-altitude maneuvering, drone operations and unarmed combat to maintain a robust defensive posture.

High-altitude infrastructure and joint preparedness

To ensure troop safety against modern artillery and aerial threats, the ITBP is executing a pilot project constructing underground shelters at forward locations. These subterranean facilities are paired with climate-resilient upgrades, including insulated barracks, dedicated generators and solar water heaters designed to sustain forces deployed at extreme altitudes ranging from 9,000 to 18,700 feet.

Interoperability has also been prioritized through joint exercises with the Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps in Ladakh. The force is concurrently rolling out a specialised training course named 'Strike', aiming to train all ITBP personnel in high-altitude close-quarters combat by the end of 2027.

While opposition leaders have raised questions regarding trade balances and border patrolling protocols, government institutions remain focused on concrete security measures and infrastructure delivery. India continues to utilize established diplomatic and military dialogue mechanisms to ensure stability along the frontier while firmly safeguarding national territorial integrity.