Leh, Ladakh
In a powerful demonstration of the Indian Army’s enduring spirit of adventure and operational preparedness, an Army Service Corps (ASC) mountaineering expedition to Mt Kang Yatse-II (approximately 6,250 metres) was flagged off on June 4, 2026. The expedition, aimed at commemorating the 12th ASC Reunion, underscores the force’s commitment to pushing human limits in some of the world’s most challenging high-altitude environments.
Led by Lt Col Nishant Karki, the 12-member team comprises four officers and eight jawans. The expedition was formally flagged off by the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 14 Corps (Fire and Fury Corps), and the General Officer Commanding, 72 Sub Area. Located in the Markha Valley of Ladakh, Mt Kang Yatse-II offers a demanding technical climb that tests endurance, technical skills, and team cohesion under extreme conditions.
This endeavour is more than a commemorative climb; it reflects the Indian Army’s holistic approach to soldiering, where physical and mental resilience honed in the mountains directly enhances combat effectiveness in high-altitude border regions.
The Indian Army has a distinguished history of high-altitude mountaineering achievements in recent years. In 2025, the Army Adventure Wing set a world record with the largest single-day summit push on Mount Everest, with 49 climbers and Sherpa guides reaching the summit on 27 May during the Silver Jubilee Expedition. Teams have also successfully undertaken joint expeditions, including with the Nepali Army on Mt Kangchenjunga, and notable ascents such as Mt Kun and peaks in Arunachal Pradesh. These feats not only enhance India’s global mountaineering stature but also foster invaluable experience in logistics, medical support, and leadership under duress.
A cornerstone of India’s mountaineering ecosystem is the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Established on 14 November 1965 to honour the vision of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, NIM was jointly initiated by the Ministry of Defence and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Situated near the Gangotri region, the institute serves as a premier training ground, offering basic and advanced mountaineering courses to Army personnel, civilians, and adventure enthusiasts. Over the decades, NIM has produced thousands of skilled mountaineers and played a pivotal role in promoting safety standards and environmental awareness in the Himalayas.
The ASC expedition to Mt Kang Yatse-II continues this proud tradition. In an era of complex security challenges, such initiatives reinforce the Indian Army’s ethos of “Service Before Self” while inspiring the nation’s youth to embrace adventure and discipline. Success on the summit will not only add another chapter to the Army’s illustrious mountaineering legacy but also reaffirm its readiness to operate effectively in the most inhospitable terrains.
As the team progresses towards the summit, the entire defence community watches with pride. Their endeavour symbolises the unyielding determination that defines India’s sentinels in uniform.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
