Shimla, October 25, 2026 (PTI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday urged the Union Government to raise a dedicated Himachal Scouts Battalion on the lines of the Ladakh Scouts, Sikkim Scouts and Arunachal Pradesh Scouts. He stated that such a unit would strengthen India’s defence preparedness along the Sino-Indian border and the Line of Actual Control (LAC), while enhancing operational capabilities in the region’s difficult mountainous terrain.
The proposed battalion would prioritise special recruitment of youth from the border districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. These areas produce personnel familiar with high-altitude conditions, challenging terrain and harsh climatic conditions, which would prove valuable for operations along the Himalayan frontier.
Sukhu emphasised that a specialised force composed of locals with indigenous knowledge of the region would improve India’s border security posture. He noted that the initiative would also expand recruitment opportunities for youth from these strategically important areas, addressing both defence requirements and local employment needs.
Highlighting Himachal Pradesh’s military tradition, the Chief Minister described the state as both “Dev Bhoomi” (Land of the Gods) and “Veer Bhoomi” (Land of the Brave). He pointed out that more than one lakh youth from the state are currently serving in the Armed Forces, with a similar number of ex-servicemen having contributed to national defence and security.
Sukhu recalled that Major Somnath Sharma, the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, hailed from Himachal Pradesh. He added that the state has produced four Param Vir Chakra awardees overall Major Somnath Sharma, Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa, Captain Vikram Batra and Rifleman (later Subedar Major) Sanjay Kumar underscoring its legacy of courage, patriotism and sacrifice. “Our soldiers have never hesitated to make the supreme sacrifice for the nation,” he stated.
The demand for a Himachal Scouts Battalion is a long-pending one. The Chief Minister has previously raised the issue with the Centre, including during high-level interactions with Army and Border Roads Organisation officials and ahead of planned visits to Delhi, framing it as a means to leverage local expertise for border defence while recognising the state’s contribution to national security.
Similar regional scout units the Ladakh Scouts (raised in 1963 and now comprising five battalions), Arunachal Scouts (first battalion raised in 2010, second in 2013) and Sikkim Scouts (raised in 2013) were established primarily to recruit personnel from local populations in high-altitude border areas. These units specialise in mountain warfare, reconnaissance and border security, drawing on soldiers’ familiarity with terrain, climate and local conditions. A Himachal Scouts Battalion would follow this established model for the state’s LAC-facing districts.
The proposal aims to strengthen operational readiness along a sensitive stretch of the northern frontier while creating a dedicated avenue for border-area youth to serve in a specialised infantry role suited to Himalayan conditions. No official response from the Centre has been reported as of Sunday evening.
