Army Chief Flags In JAK LI Adventure Expeditions

New Delhi, Oct 19 (UNI) Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor today flagged in here two adventure expeditions of the Jammu And Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) which is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year.

An illustrious regiment of the Indian Army, JAK LI had undertaken a Mountaineering Expedition to the 7,135-metre Mount Nun and a Motor Cycle Expedition from Imphal to New Delhi via the Siachen Base Camp.

Lt Gen PR Gangadharan, Colonel of the JAK LI Regiment; Mr Pawan Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Honda; and Mr RS Settia, DGM of Indian Oil Corporation, were present on the occasion.

The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment was raised on April 15, 1948 from volunteers who took up arms to defend Kashmir against a Pak-sponsored 'Qabaili' incursion. The volunteers were subsequently organised into a Militia Force of fourteen battalions.

The gallantry of the Militia Force was subsequently recognised by edesignating it as 'The Jammu And Kashmir Light Infantry' in 1972.

Mount Nun is one of the highest peaks in the Western Himalayas and is a popular destination for Indian as well as foreign mountaineers. It is an extremely hazardous and difficult peak which has challenged climbers over the years.

The JAK LI expedition led by Colonel Vinay Khosla braved bad weather and vagaries of the terrain to successfully summit the peak on September 15 last under Maj Randeep Singh. Two subsequent attempts led by Col Vinay Khosla and Maj Amit Soni created a record ascent placing 20 mountaineers atop the summit.

Celebrating its diamond jubilee, the Regiment -- and the Red Shield Division -- undertook a Motor Cycle Expedition from Imphal to New Delhi via the Siachen Base Camp traversing a distance of over 8,000 Kms across the breadth of the country.

Covering 12 states, the Motor Cycle Expedition involved crossing of four passes -- Rohtang (13,360 ft), Tanglang-La (15,055 ft), Khardung-La (18,380 ft) and Zoji-La (12,535 ft).

The aim of the expedition was to promote the spirit of adventure and to spread the theme of national integration, peace and harmony.

The expedition was supported by Hero Honda and Indian Oil Corporation.

Speaking on the occasion, the Army Chief lauded the achievements of the Regiment for being one of the most decorated Regiments of the Indian Army post-independence. It has been awarded four Battle Honours, three Theatre Honours, six Unit Citations, a Param Vir Chakra, two Ashok Chakras and a large number of other gallantry awards.

UNI