The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was raised on 21 October 1962 after the Chinese aggression as an integrated intelligence/signal/pioneer/engineering/ medical and guerrilla unit and was initially placed under the Intelligence Bureau for operational control. In 1975 the primary task of the ITBPwas redefined as security of northern borders, to check illegal immigration and transborder crimes.

ITBP is given the responsibility of providing security/communication/ medical cover to the pilgrims during Kailash-Mansarover Yatra besides being the Nodal Agency Disaster Management in the Central and Western Himalayan region. The ITBP has 29 battalions including four specialist battalions.