Sonam Tsetan, head of one of the squads of one of the guard brigades under the Lhasa Detachment of the People's Armed Police of the Xizang autonomous region, inspects his post. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

The People's Armed Police has played an essential role in protecting the railway and safeguarding train passengers in the Xizang autonomous region.

One of the brigades of the Lhasa Detachment of the People's Armed Police of the Xizang autonomous region is tasked with safeguarding the vital Qinghai-Xizang Railway.

The brigade's several squads are responsible for guarding the Lhasa River Super-Long Bridge of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway and the railway's Yangbajan No 1 and No 2 tunnels in Lhasa, respectively. The Qinghai-Xizang Railway opened to traffic in 2006, becoming the region's first railway.

An armed police officer heads to his post at one of the squads of one of the guard brigades under the Lhasa Detachment of the People's Armed Police of the Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Sonam Tsetan, head of one of the squads of one of the guard brigades under the Lhasa Detachment of the People's Armed Police, said since the opening of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway in 2006, they have been working hard to protect the railway while overcoming the lack of oxygen at such a high altitude.

Sonam Tsetan's squad has two guard points, with armed police on duty 24 hours a day at both ends of the bridge.

He said: "Since the squad was established in 2006, we have never experienced a single safety accident or any incidents of deliberate attacks on trains and railways along the section of the Lhasa River Super-long Bridge. It is a gateway for rails entering and departing Xizang. Due to its strategic importance, it needs strict protection."

An armed police officer stands on duty at one of the squads of one of the guard brigades under the Lhasa Detachment of the People's Armed Police of the Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 54-man team's usual task is to stand guard and eliminate any potential safety hazards along 900 meters of the bridge section to ensure the railway operates normally, he added.

Xu Sanren, a squad member, said he and his partners take turns standing guard for two-hour shifts. When someone approaches the railway, they report it to the sentry post via walkie-talkie, and then the squad sends personnel to investigate and resolve the issue.

"Occasionally, there are drunken individuals who come near the railway at night," said Xu.

After graduating from university, Xu decided to join the military because he thought it was cool. When he came to Xizang, it was not as challenging as he had imagined.

A passenger train passes the Lhasa River Super-long Bridge section of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

"When I was just about to come here, I was thinking about serving in the border areas, defending the border and our country," he said. "My family supported me in this decision."

By safeguarding the Qinghai-Xizang Railway, the armed police officers have witnessed the railway's role in promoting Xizang's economic development, improving living standards and strengthening national unity.

The unit's unwavering commitment to duty and exemplary service have earned them accolades, with the brigade being recognized for its outstanding contributions to maintaining the railway's safety and efficiency.

The brigade was recognized as an advanced grassroots unit in 2018 and 2019. Meanwhile, the brigade's party committee was recognized as an advanced party committee in the same years.