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, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh Scouts to strengthen defence preparedness along the Sino-Indian border and provide specialized recruitment opportunities to local youth, particularly those from border districts.

The proposed battalion would draw on the region’s familiarity with challenging mountainous terrain and harsh high-altitude conditions, enhancing operational capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Highlighting Himachal’s contribution to national security, Sukhu said the state, known as both Dev Bhoomi and Veer Bhoomi, has more than one lakh youth serving in the Armed Forces, while a similar number of ex-servicemen have served the nation.

He emphasized that young people from Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, accustomed to the region’s difficult geography and extreme weather, could be valuable assets to a specialized force operating along the border. He also recalled the state’s distinguished military tradition, noting that Major Som Nath Sharma, India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee, hailed from Himachal Pradesh.

“Our soldiers have never hesitated to make the supreme sacrifice for the nation,” Sukhu said, adding that the state had produced four Param Vir Chakra awardees, reflecting its enduring legacy of courage, patriotism and sacrifice.

He said the proposed battalion would recognize this military tradition while strengthening India’s preparedness in strategically sensitive border areas.