SSB chief to take additional charge of ITBP as D-G retires

The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that the head of the Sashastra Seema Bal, India's border guard force that patrols the borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, will assume the duties of the Indo‑Tibetan Border Police on an interim basis. The move follows the scheduled retirement of the ITBP director‑general, Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, on the last day of October. Both agencies operate under the same ministry but have distinct operational zones, with the ITBP responsible for the high‑altitude frontier along the China border. The temporary arrangement is intended to ensure continuity of command while the government finalises a permanent appointment.

The decision comes at a time when both forces are engaged in heightened security activities. The SSB has recently increased patrols in the Himalayan foothills to counter cross‑border infiltration, while the ITBP is focused on maintaining vigilance along the Line of Actual Control, where tensions have risen due to recent diplomatic standoffs. By placing a single senior officer in charge of both commands, the ministry hopes to streamline coordination, share intelligence more effectively, and avoid any gaps in operational readiness during the transition period.

The appointment is procedural rather than political, and senior officials have indicated that a formal selection process for a new director‑general will be completed within the next few weeks. In the meantime, the SSB chief will oversee routine administrative matters, training schedules, and ongoing joint exercises. Observers note that the short‑term overlap may also provide an opportunity to review resource allocation between the two forces, potentially leading to more efficient use of equipment and personnel. The next steps will be communicated through official channels once the permanent appointment is confirmed.