SSB chief will take additional responsibility for ITBP as DG retires

Sashastra Seema Bal Logo | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given additional charge to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Sanjay Singhal, who heads the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), with effect from October 31 when incumbent Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor retires. The ITBP guards India’s 3,488 km long border with China.

On October 22, Mr Kapoor told an ITBP event in Rajasthan’s Alwar that “the skirmish with Chinese troops continues at several places in Arunachal Pradesh”, leading to a political uproar and demands from opposition parties to clarify the extent of the Chinese incursion in the eastern sector.

Mr. Kapoor said, “For the last few days, there has been a situation of face-off at several places in Arunachal and it is still going on. Our Shaurya commandos have played an exemplary role in this. ITBP was raised as a mountain guerilla force and in 2004 we got border guarding along China. We don’t have to leave our original function of the armed forces and we are setting up a dedicated mountain unit. Soon we will have one whole battalion of Shaurya commandos. Our strength is high altitude (deployment),” Mr. Kapur said.

It was the first official confirmation of the extent of tensions along the northeastern border since July.

On Tuesday (October 27), the MHA order said: “The undersigned is to refer to the above subject and convey the approval of the competent authority for the grant of additional charge to the post of DG, ITBP Sanjay Singhal, IPS (UP:1993), DG, SSB on the retirement of Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, IPS.1HY till 19206. appointment of the regular holder or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”

The SSB guards India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan.

Published – 27 October 2026 23:00 IST