Mountaineering expedition flagged in

28-member ITBP team scaled Gya peak

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 6

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

The team of 28 members succeeded in scaling ‘Gya Peak’, which is 6,794 meters high. This peak is considered to be one of the toughest and technical peaks to climb and the expedition was flagged off on July 24 by DIG, SHQ Shimla, Prem Singh.

After trekking on the tough route, the team summited the peak under the leadership of Deputy Commandant Kuldeep Singh and Deputy Leader Assistant Commandant Anmol Shrivas. A veteran member in the team was Head Constable Pradeep Negi of Chitkul village in Kinnaur, who had also successfully scaled the world’s highest peak “Mount Everest” twice in the past.

Congratulating the team members, the Governor said such expeditions not only developed leadership, bonding, discipline and confidence among the troops but also enhanced the ability to face uncertain and critical situations by taking initiative. He said the mountaineering expedition had created awareness about the environment and cleanliness. He appreciated the ITBP for various relief and rescue operations conducted in Himachal Pradesh and protecting the integrity of the Indo-Tibetan borders.

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

The expedition team also displayed mountaineering equipment.