Former J&K DGP S.P. Vaid Defends ITBP Chief’s Remarks on Arunachal Face-Offs, Denies Territory Lost
Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) S.P. Vaid (IPS: 1986: JK, retd.) has defended the recent statements made by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapoor (IPS: 1990: HR) regarding ongoing confrontations with Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh.
Vaid clarified that tactical border face-offs are operational standoffs and do not indicate that Chinese forces have occupied any Indian territory.
Context of the Controversy
The political debate erupted after ITBP Chief Shatrujeet Kapoor publicly acknowledged that Indian and Chinese forces were engaged in ongoing face-offs across multiple points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh:
ITBP Statement: Addressing troops in Alwar, Rajasthan, DG Kapoor highlighted the operational performance of the newly raised Shaurya Commando units deployed along high-altitude positions.
Opposition Reaction: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and opposition leaders questioned the Centre over border security and demanded clarification regarding Chinese troop movements along the LAC.
MEA Response: Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that border frictions periodically arise when Chinese forces diverge from established patrolling norms, emphasizing that issues continue to be addressed via diplomatic and military channels.
Key Takeaways from S.P. Vaid’s Statement
Speaking on the distinction between border confrontations and territorial loss, Vaid emphasized several operational perspectives:
On the Definition of Face-Offs: “A face-off implies a lack of friendly relations between the two sides… Shatrujeet Kapoor did not suggest that China has occupied any territory, contrary to the uproar being raised.”
On Countering Border Assertion: Vaid stated that China frequently attempts to assert regional presence through unilateral place-renaming and aggressive patrols, asserting that the ITBP’s active pushback demonstrates resolve rather than vulnerability.
Support for Ground Troops: Vaid commended ITBP personnel for standing firm against aggressive Chinese patrolling tactics, reinforcing that active pushbacks are necessary to maintain the integrity of the LAC.
