Shimla: 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, PTI reported.

Source: PTI, via SSBCrack

Sukhu said 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, according to the PTI report.

Source: PTI, via SSBCrack

Kinnaur and Lahaul-SpitiBorder districts proposed for special recruitment focus
1 lakh+Himachal youth serving in the Armed Forces, per the state government
4Param Vir Chakra awardees from Himachal Pradesh, per the Chief Minister

The proposed battalion would give special recruitment focus to local youth, particularly from the border districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, who are familiar with the high-altitude terrain and harsh climatic conditions, the Himachal Pradesh government statement said.

Source: Himachal Pradesh government statement, via Public Updates 24

Describing the state as both Dev Bhoomi and Veer Bhoomi, Sukhu said more than one lakh youth from Himachal Pradesh were serving in the Armed Forces, with a similar number of ex-servicemen. He noted that Major Som Nath Sharma, the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, hailed from the state, and that Himachal had produced four Param Vir Chakra awardees, according to the government statement.

Source: Himachal Pradesh government statement, via Crazy News India

The Chief Minister said the specialised force would also expand recruitment opportunities for youth in strategically important border areas. No response from the Union government to the request had been reported at the time of publication.