Western Command chief flags off mountaineering expedition

Chandigarh, Aug 9 (UNI) Western Command's General Officer Commanding-in-chief Lt Gen Daljeet Singh today flagged of an Indian Army mountaineering expedition to Mt Mana in the Garhwal Himalayas from ChandiMandir cantonment here.

He handed over the expedition flag to the expedition leader Lt Col I S Thapa of Maratha Light Infantry.

A prequel to the planned Mt Everest expedition next year, the expedition team comprising four officers, seven JCO's and 42 jawans, would attempt to scale Mt Mana in mid-September. This Mli mountaineering team is the same team which had successfully scaled Mt Bhagirahi II (6512 mtr), also called ''the Killer Peak'', in May-June this year.

Enroute to Mt Mana at a height of 7273 mtrs, the expedition will pass via Ralwala-Joshimath-Dugpur Mana pass. The team will provide limited medical aid to the general public and create awareness among the ex-servicemen in the Garhwal hills regarding contributory health scheme in the remote areas.

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