Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) attended the flag-in ceremony of the Mountain Expedition-Parakram- organised by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) North West Frontier (NWR) at Kumbha Hall, ITBP 24th Battalion in Choglamsar on August 12.

Calling ITBP a capable and excellent force, LG lauded the jawans of ITBP for maintaining high moral standards, excellent administrative works and nationalism despite working in challenging terrains. He appreciated their efforts to name two unnamed peaks above 6,000 metres in the name of the Late T Smanla (AC), Late Tsewang Paljor (HC), Late Dorje Morup (LNK) and Late Tikaram Singh Negi (AC/GD), who gave the supreme sacrifice of their lives for national security. He stated that both martyrs have been honoured by naming two peaks in their names while the mountaineers from ITBP, who successfully scaled the peaks, have earned his appreciation.

LG stated that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has a deep affection for our jawans guarding the frontiers to ensure national security, sovereignty and integrity. He lauded ITBP jawans’ responsibility and operational commitment and assured them of all possible assistance for their operational requirements and capability.     
 
Inspector General (IG), ITBP NWF, Sanjay Kumar Gunjyal informed that both the unnamed peaks, which were successfully scaled by the ITBP expedition team, were previously unscaled. He also informed about various challenges faced by the ITBP expedition team in successfully scaling both peaks. He further informed that ITBP, popularly known as Mountain Specialised Force, has completed numerous expeditions and holds several records in their name. 

Sanjay Kumar Gunjyal informed about the efforts being made by ITBP to name both the peaks as Smanla Paljor Morup Peak and Tikaram Singh Negi Peak, which are situated at an elevation of 6,221m and 6,274m respectively in memory of their four brave jawans.

The leader of the expedition team, Nihas Suresh (DC/GD) informed the LG that the ITBP expedition team comprising 17 climbers and 12 administrative staff, led by him and Deputy leader, Rishab Singh (AC/GD), started on 20 June, 2023 from the ITBP 24th Battalion at Choglamsar followed by acclimatization at Phobrang and then the summit of both the peaks.