Tensions at the LAC: ITBP Chief Says Face Off with Chinese Forces in Arunachal Pradesh

“In the past few-days, a situation arose where face-off happened at several locations in Arunachal and it still continues.

-Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur

Speaking at an ITBP base in Alwar, Rajasthan, ahead of the force’s 65th Raising Day on October 24, Kapur confirmed the face-offs with Chinese troops at multiple locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh.

He described China as India’s “biggest adversary” and stressed the need to strengthen border preparedness through Shaurya commandos and enhanced operational capabilities.

Kapur said confrontations between Indian and Chinese personnel continue at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, despite military and diplomatic efforts to manage border tensions.

‘India Cannot Compete in Traditional Way’

DG Kapur noted that traditional methods would make facing China difficult due to its heavy military modernization, but highlighted that drones allow smaller nations to challenge larger ones, citing conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Iran-USA. 

“It will be difficult to compete with China using traditional methods... They have modernised and invested heavily in their PLA...”

He emphasized that drones present both a challenge and an opportunity, altering the role of traditional armies and necessitating a major shift toward drone and anti-drone systems.

Furthermore, he described China as India's "biggest adversary" and "most difficult" border, underlining the need to adopt technological asymmetric capabilities. You can find the full transcribed excerpts of his speech in the referenced documents.

Indo-China Stand-off

The developments follow reports of a prolonged stand-off near Taksing in Upper Subansiri district, where troops from both countries reportedly encountered each other during patrols.

India and China also held Corps Commander-level talks at the Wacha-Damai border meeting point on September 6.

Established in 1962, the ITBP guards the 3,488-kilometre India-China border across challenging mountainous terrain.

China Border Tensions Spark Political Row

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticised the government’s handling of China-related tensions, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration of remaining silent on developments along the Arunachal Pradesh border.

Ramesh also raised concerns about alleged restrictions on Indian patrols, China’s attempts to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh and its dam construction plans. He linked these issues to India’s widening trade deficit with China.

His remarks add to the political debate over the government’s China policy, separate from the ITBP chief’s confirmation of continuing face-offs.

ITBP Focuses on Border Readiness

The deployment of Shaurya commandos, expanded drone surveillance and specialised training reflect the ITBP’s efforts to strengthen preparedness amid unresolved border tensions.

Kapur praised the ITBP’s Shaurya commandos for their performance during recent confrontations with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The specialised teams are trained for high-altitude operations and are expected to expand across the force’s border battalions to improve operational readiness along the LAC.

Kapur’s remarks indicate that confrontations continue at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh despite ongoing diplomatic and military engagement between India and China.