Govt announces ‘High Altitude medal’ for border troops

Border-guarding troops deployed on posts above 9,000 feet will now be decorated with a new 'high altitude medal' to recognise their services in the tough terrain and adverse climate areas, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday.

Officiating as the chief guest for the 55th Raising Day celebrations of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police here, Singh said a policy decision has been taken to honour the valour and commitment to duty of the men and women of these forces. 

The new medal will also given to the personnel of forces like the BSF (Indo-Pak, Indo-Bangla border-guarding force) and the SSB (Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border guarding force) among others.

"We got to know that there were some difficulties in awarding the high altitude medals to the personnel working at border outposts located above the height of 9,000 ft. So, we have decided that now all jawans and officers who work at a height of 9,000 ft and above will be awarded with the high altitude medal," he said.

The forces, officials said, have been making a demand for instituting such a medal as this will work to boost the morale of those personnel who render duties in such harsh conditions. The Home Minister acknowledged that forces like ITBP work in adverse conditions facing vagaries of harsh climate and difficult terrain.

"I am aware of the adverse conditions the ITBP personnel face while discharging their duties," he said. He recalled his visit to such an ITBP border post in the Ladakh region sometime back.