LEH: In a stirring tribute to the bravehearts of the Galwan Valley clash, the Indian Army successfully carried out a daring mountaineering expedition to Mt Shahi Kangri and Mt Silver Peak in the Karakoram ranges of Ladakh — not just to salute its fallen heroes, but also to promote high-altitude adventure tourism in the remote border belt.
Flagged off on May 28 and completed on June 18, 2025, the expedition was led by troops of the Fire and Fury Corps and culminated under the watch of Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, GOC of the Corps headquartered in Leh.
The mission tested the physical and mental limits of the soldiers who scaled the icy heights of these formidable peaks, located close to India’s highest and most sensitive frontiers.
This high-risk adventure was more than just a test of endurance. It was a solemn homage to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the violent face-off with Chinese troops in June 2020 at Galwan Valley, where 20 Indian Army personnel, including Col Santosh Babu, laid down their lives protecting Indian territory.
The mountaineering team’s successful summit of Shahi Kangri — a less explored yet strategically significant peak in the Karakoram — is being seen as part of the Army's wider push to develop border tourism and adventure sports in Ladakh, India’s highest battlefield zone. It also showcases the spirit of resilience and valor that defines the Indian soldier.
“This expedition is not only a tribute to the Galwan bravehearts, but also a message to the world that the Indian Army thrives in extreme terrains, guarding every inch with unwavering resolve,” an Army officer said during the flag-in ceremony in Leh.
In recent years, the Indian Army has been spearheading efforts to open up remote areas of Ladakh to responsible tourism and civilian mountaineering, particularly to foster awareness of the region’s geostrategic importance and natural beauty.
The Galwan conflict of June 15, 2020, marked the most serious military confrontation between India and China in over four decades, leading to casualties on both sides.
It also triggered a massive infrastructure push along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and reshaped India's defence posture in Eastern Ladakh.
By scaling these peaks, the Army is not only sending a strategic message but also reinforcing national unity, honouring its martyrs, and paving the way for youth and adventure enthusiasts to explore Ladakh’s raw and rugged terrain.
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