Flag-Off of ITBP mountaineering Expedition to Mt. Mukut
Flag-Off of ITBP mountaineering Expedition to Mt. Mukut
New Delhi, 5 May, 2016 : Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble MOS (Home) Govt. of India and Shri Krishna Chaudhary, DG ITBP today flagged off the Mt Mukut (7242 Mtr) climbing expedition of ITBP at Force HQ. Explaining the achievements earned by ITBP in the field of mountaineering, Shri Rijiju conveyed his greetings for the success of the Expedition.
- Shri Rijiju said that ITBP is a special force who have mastered in the art of Mountaineering and other adventure sports to achieve unique milestones. Due to their mountaineering skills, the local people of Himalayan areas find support from ITBP during disaster situations as well. On this occasion, Shri Krishna Chaudhary, DG ITBP said that the ITBP Mountaineers are attempting the summit to Mount Mukut for the first time. ITBP has been credited to have undertaken more than 201 successful mountaineering expeditions which is a unique record. Shri Arjun Singh, Commandant is the leader of the 25 member mountaineering expedition team.
- Mt Mukut is situated in Mana Valley of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. Other important peaks such as Mt Kamet and Mt Abi Gamin are also situated adjacent to Mt Mukut. Successful summit to Mt Mukut was undertaken in 1951 by the Mountaineering team of New Zealand. Sir Edmund Hillary was a member of this team.
- ITBP Mountaineers have successfully completed summit to the highest Peak of the World- the Mt. Everest in 1984, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2006 and 2012. So far, 24 personnel of ITBP have climbed the Mt. Everest. As a member of Joint Mountaineering Expedition, Shri Sonam Palazor, Asstt Commandant of ITBP was the first ITBP mountaineer to climb Mt. Everest in 1984. Under the leadership of Shri Prem Singh, Commandant, 06 mountaineers of ITBP climbed Mt. Everest and skied down successfully in the year 2012. For exemplary contribution to the field of mountaineering, 7 personnel of the Force have been awarded with Padma Shri while 11 personnel have been awarded with Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.
- Mt. Mukut expedition team has been put through rigorous physical training and has been extensively trained on all technical aspects required to tackle difficulties while ascending through glacial fields, knife edge icy ridges, rocky spires on its way to higher altitude camps and summit. The Team is equipped with latest snow and rock equipments.
- ITBP is deployed for guarding Himalayan (Indo-china) border since its raising in 1962. The Force is known for its forte in the field of mountaineering and adventure sports. The Force is primarily deployed on high altitude Border Out Posts situated on altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to 18,700 ft.
(Vivek Kumar Pandey)
Public Relations Officer, ITBP
