Civilian trekking expedition to Siachen

The annual civilian trekking expedition to Siachen glacier was flagged off in Ladakh sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
"A team of 44 civilian trekkers was flagged off at Leh by Lt Gen PJS Pannu, GOC 14 Corps" yesterday, a defence spokesman said.
It is the fourth year that such a civilian trekking expedition is heading for Siachen, the world's highest battlefield.
The aim of the trek is to give an understanding to the participants of the difficult terrain and weather conditions encountered by soldiers in Siachen and foster a better bonding between the Army and the citizens, he said.
Initially, the trekking team would move to the Siachen base camp for acclimatization and orientation training, he said.

Thereafter, the trek would be launched on October 2 and would terminate on October 13.
During his interaction with the trekkers, the GOC complimented them for undertaking such a difficult mission and hoped that the trek would be a defining moment of their lives.
The trek will also go a long way towards enhancement of mountaineering skills in civilians ably honed by the Army in the snow clad mountains.