Indo-German Army mountaineering expedition flagged off

New Delhi, Aug 21 (ANI): Lt General VK Ahluwalia, Director General Military Training flagged off a joint Indo-German mountaineering expedition to Mt Shivling (6543M) in Garhwal Himalayan Region, today.

The joint team comprising of 18 personnel of Indian Army and four personnel of the German Army is being led by Major Vishal Thapa of the Indian Army, a seasoned and expert mountaineer with an impeccable mountaineering record.

The team will move to Gangotri for the expedition on August 22-23. After the mandatory pre-expedition training and acclimatization, the peak will be attempted between September 21-27, subject to weather conditions.

The joint expedition by both armies will not only help the participants to learn from each other's varied experiences, but would go a long way in strengthening ties between both nations.

The first ascent of Mount Shivling was done by an ITBP expedition team on June 3, 1974. The Indian Army has climbed this peak in 1984, 2006 and in 2007. (ANI)