Kargil, Jul 13 (KNO): In Ladakh, the flagging-in ceremony of the D5 Motorcycle expedition team took place at the Kargil War Memorial at Drass, as part of the commemoration of the Rajat Jayanti of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen V. Suchindra Kumar was the Chief Guest on this occasion, who after flagging in the team, honored the team at Kargil War Memorial Drass.
The D5 Motorcycle Expedition, organized as a prelude to the Rajat Jayanti Kargil Vijay Diwas celebration, has achieved recognition in the Asian Books of Records and India Book of Records after covering an impressive 17,000 km.
The expedition, which commenced from various regions of the country, converged at the National War Memorial in New Delhi before embarking on two separate routes to Dras. One route led through Jammu, while the other passed through Chandigarh and Leh.
During the journey, the expedition team engaged with approximately 1,200 NCC youths, inspiring them to join the Indian Army. They also met with Veer Naris and families of martyrs and felicitated them and also educated them about the sacrifices made by the Indian Army during the 1999 Kargil War.
The ceremony was attended by officials, including DG Artillery Lt Gen Adosh Kumar, GOC 14 Corps Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, GOC 8 Mountain Division Major Gen Sachin Malik, along with officers, war veterans, and the D5 Motorcycle Expedition team.
Lt Col Manoj Kumar Nayar, Chief Coordinator of the Expedition, highlighted that the journey not only commemorated the sacrifices of brave soldiers but also symbolized the unity and resilience of the Indian Army. He emphasized that the expedition, which included personnel from across the nation, aimed to pay homage to Veer Naris, Kargil Awardees, and Veterans, with various events organized along the route.
Dr. Pradeep Bhardwaj, who judged the expedition, confirmed its eligibility for the Asian Book of Records and India Book of Records based on verified facts and unique aspects of the journey.
In his address, the Chief Guest, Lt Gen V. Suchindra Kumar, reaffirmed the Indian Army's commitment to remembering those who sacrificed their lives and those injured during the 1999 Kargil War. He praised the unwavering resolve and courage displayed during Operation Vijay, noting that the bravery and patriotism of the martyrs will continue to inspire future generations. He congratulated the D5 Motorcycle Expedition team for their successful journey through various parts of the country.
This expedition stands as a testament to the valor of Indian soldiers and the enduring spirit of the Indian Army—(KNO)