STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The year 2024 will mark the completion of 25 years of the spectacular victory of the Indian Army in the Kargil War. To commemorate the Rajat Jayanti of Kargil Vijay Diwas and pay rich tribute to the Heroes of Kargil War, Indian Army is conducting the World’s Highest Cycling Expedition, aptly named as ‘ICE & Steel Cycling Expedition’.
The expedition will cover a distance of approx 753 kilometres and also cross the World’s Highest Motorable Pass at 19,024 feet.
Prior to flag-off, the Expedition Team paid homage at the DBO War Memorial, honouring the memory of the brave soldiers of the 1962 Sino-India War.
The expedition was flagged off on July 1, 2024 by Brig Vishal Ranjan, SM, Cdr 33 Mtn Bde from Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO).
Over the next 15 days, a team of 15 Indian Army personnel will cycle through the challenging and unforgiving terrain of Ladakh to conquer some of the world’s toughest mountain passes.
The team will also brave few of the coldest places in Ladakh and champion Indian Army’s values of selfless service, devotion to duty, sacrifice and courage. The cyclists will also pay homage at Galwan and Rezang La War Memorials and carry out interaction with locals and school children in several villages enroute.
This expedition attempts to establish a World Record by being the Highest Cycling Expedition at an average altitude of approx 15000 feet. The expedition intends to spread the message of grit, sacrifice and the ethos of ‘Nation First’, which is the hallmark of the Indian Army.