Itanagar: The 22-member team of the Indian Army has completed the long, challenging and adventurous GAJRAJ Mountain Terrain Cycling Expedition covering a distance of over 900 km within a span of 25 days.
The team was flagged off on May 28 from Rupa in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, a defence communique said today.
The expedition team led by young officers and JCOs of the Blazing Sword Division traversed through the high altitude regions (12000-15000 ft) of West Kameng and Tawang districts along the Indo-China border.
Despite the odds of rugged terrain, high altitude conditions, snow covered tracks and rainy conditions, the team completed the formidable challenge, showcasing grit, determination and indomitable spirit of the Indian Army.
Apart from promoting a spirit of adventure amongst the troops, the expedition team reached out to the local populace in far flung areas to include school going children, ex-servicemen and next of kins of the valiant martyrs, spreading the message of national integration and solidarity.
The team also spread the message of nature conservation amongst the local populace by planting saplings at schools, monasteries and villages, the communique said.
Negotiating through the steep passes of Bomdila (9500 ft), Sela (13700 ft), Bumla (16500 ft) and Gonkarla (15567 ft), the spirited expedition team reached its final destination Tezpur on June 21 and was flagged in by Lt Gen D Anbu, General Officer Commanding GAJRAJ Corps.
While appreciating the achievement of the expedition team, Lt Gen Anbu highlighted the role of adventure activities in Army to inculcate leadership qualities, camaraderie, team spirit and resolution to achieve victory against all odds.
Gen Anbu also congratulated the team and exhorted all ranks to keep up the tradition of Indian Army with such adventurous commitments.
