PM Modi greets ITBP on 65th Raising Day, hails Himveers' valour and service
Synopsis
On the ITBP's 65th Raising Day, PM Modi saluted the Himveers guarding India's toughest frontier — a 3,488-km Himalayan stretch where temperatures fall to minus 45°C. The tribute is more than ceremonial: raised during the 1962 India-China War, the ITBP remains India's first line of defence on its most strategically sensitive border.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi extended Raising Day greetings to the ITBP on 24 October 2026 via a post on X.
The ITBP was raised on 24 October 1962 and is celebrating its 65th Raising Day .
The force guards a 3,488-km India-China border from Karakoram Pass, Ladakh to Jachep La, Arunachal Pradesh .
Most ITBP Border Out Posts are situated at 9,000 ft to 18,800 ft altitude, with temperatures as low as minus 45°C .
The ITBP also conducts anti-Left-Wing Extremism operations in Chhattisgarh and serves as a First Responder for Himalayan disasters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 October 2026 extended warm greetings to the personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on its 65th Raising Day, lauding the force's exceptional valour, steadfast determination, and selfless sacrifices in service of the nation.
Modi's Message to the Himveers
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote, 'On their Raising Day, greetings to all personnel of the ITBP. The ITBP Himveers have distinguished themselves through their exceptional valour.' He added, 'They have always risen to every challenge with remarkable determination. Their selfless service and sacrifices are a source of immense inspiration to the nation.'
About the ITBP: Guarding the Roof of the World
The ITBP was raised on 24 October 1962, in the aftermath of the India-China War, and has since been the primary guardian of India's 3,488-km-long Himalayan frontier — stretching from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh. Most of its Border Out Posts (BOPs) are located at altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to 18,800 ft, where temperatures can plunge to minus 45 degrees Celsius in peak winter, according to the Home Ministry.
Force's Reaffirmation and Motto
On the occasion, the ITBP took to X to convey greetings to all Himveers, Himveeranganas, and their families. The force reaffirmed its commitment to the nation, invoking its motto: 'Shaurya, Dridhta, Karmanishtha' — meaning Valour, Steadfastness, Dedication. 'This force shall forever remain devoted to the service of the nation. Jai Hind!' the post read.
Beyond the Border: Disaster Relief and Internal Security
The ITBP's mandate extends well beyond border guarding. The force plays a significant role in internal security operations against Left-Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh. It also functions as the designated First Responder for natural calamities across the Himalayan region, having participated in hundreds of search, rescue, and relief missions over the decades to assist citizens affected by floods, avalanches, and earthquakes. Its personnel receive specialised training in mountaineering and skiing, alongside intensive tactical drills, setting the force apart among India's central armed police forces.
As the ITBP marks six and a half decades of service, the force's dual identity — frontline border sentinel and humanitarian first responder — underscores its growing strategic importance at a time when India's northern borders remain a focus of national security attention.
Point of View
Affirming the ITBP's mandate is a signal as much as a salute. The force's dual role — high-altitude sentinel and Himalayan first responder — remains under-reported relative to its operational load, particularly its disaster response record, which spans hundreds of missions across one of the world's most calamity-prone mountain zones.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 24 October significant for the ITBP?
24 October is the ITBP's Raising Day, marking the anniversary of its formation on 24 October 1962, in the immediate context of the India-China War. In 2026, the force is celebrating its 65th Raising Day.
What border does the ITBP guard?
The ITBP guards India's 3,488-km-long border with China, spanning from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh. Its personnel are deployed at altitudes between 9,000 ft and 18,800 ft.
What did PM Modi say about the ITBP on its Raising Day?
PM Modi, in a post on X, praised the ITBP Himveers for their 'exceptional valour' and 'remarkable determination', calling their 'selfless service and sacrifices a source of immense inspiration to the nation.'
What roles does the ITBP play beyond border guarding?
Beyond border security, the ITBP conducts internal security operations against Left-Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh and serves as the designated First Responder for natural disasters in the Himalayan region, having conducted hundreds of search and rescue missions.
What is the ITBP's motto?
The ITBP's motto is 'Shaurya, Dridhta, Karmanishtha', which translates to Valour, Steadfastness, and Dedication. The force reaffirmed this commitment on its 65th Raising Day.
