The Border Security Force (BSF) has embarked on a challenging mountaineering expedition aimed at scaling four prominent peaks in the high-altitude regions of Ladakh and Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh. The mission is part of the BSF’s advanced Alpine training program, designed to strengthen the high-altitude preparedness and skills of its personnel.
The expedition carries dual significance — it is a tribute to the 13 BSF mountaineers who lost their lives during a previous attempt to summit Saser Kangri-I (7,672 meters) in Nubra Valley, and it also aligns with national campaigns like ‘Swachh Bharat – Clean Himalaya’ and ‘Hum Fit to India Fit.’
The peaks targeted in this 34-day expedition include Mount Yunam (6,111 meters), Mount Thugje (6,128 meters),
Mount Thugje East (6,080 meters), and Mount Mentok (6,250 meters).The expedition was officially flagged off on August 2 by Inspector General (Training) Ashok Kumar from the BSF Institute of Adventure and Advanced Training (BIAAT) in Dehradun.
A 35-member team, comprising climbers, support personnel, medical staff, and logistics experts, is undertaking the mission. The team includes a mix of seasoned mountaineers with multiple successful summits and new recruits. Notably, women personnel are also participating in this high-altitude endeavor.
Leading the expedition is Deputy Commandant Loveraj Singh Dharamshaktu, a Padma Shri awardee and the only Indian mountaineer to have scaled Mount Everest seven times.
In addition to the climbing challenge, the BSF team is committed to preserving the Himalayan environment. As part of their descent, they will collect waste from high-altitude camps between 14,000 and 20,500 feet for proper disposal, supporting ongoing efforts to keep the Himalayas clean and sustainable.