ITBP Mountaineering expedition flagged in

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 7

A mountaineering expedition of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sector Headquarters (SHQ) Shimla, was flagged in at the Raj Bhavan yesterday. The ceremony was presided over by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

The team of 28 members succeeded in scaling the 6,795-m high Gya peak at the tri-junction of Tibet, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. The expedition was flagged off by DIG, SHQ Shimla, Prem Singh on July 24.

The team summited the peak under the leadership of Deputy Commandant Kuldeep Singh and Deputy Leader Assistant Commandant Anmol Shrivas. A veteran member of the team was Head Constable Pradeep Negi of Chitkul village in Kinnaur, who had also successfully scaled the Mount Everest twice in the past.

The Governor said such expeditions not only developed leadership, bonding, discipline and confidence among the troops but also enhanced their ability to face uncertain and critical situations by taking initiative.

He appreciated the ITBP for various relief and rescue operations conducted in Himachal and protecting the integrity of Tibetan borders.

Prem Singh said the ITBP held specialisation in adventure sports like rock climbing, mountaineering, skiing, river-rafting, mountain biking and paragliding and also conducted various events.