Army Chief General Manoj Pande Flags Off Indian Army D5 Motorcycle Expedition
On June 27, Army Chief General Manoj Pande flagged off the Indian Army D5 Motorcycle Expedition from the National War Memorial in New Delhi. This event marks the 25th anniversary of India’s victory in the Kargil War of 1999.
Event Details
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, senior officers, Kargil War veterans, and families. General Pande interacted with the riders and handed over the expedition flag to the team leader. Archana Pande, President of the Army Wives Welfare Association, also felicitated Veer Naris during the event.
Expedition Route
The expedition began on June 12, 2024, from three corners of India: Dinjan in the East, Dwarka in the West, and Dhanushkodi in the South. Each team, consisting of eight motorcyclists, traveled through diverse terrains before reaching Delhi. The teams were flagged in at Delhi Cantt on June 26, 2024, by former Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor.
From Delhi, the teams will proceed along two routes to Dras. One route covers 1,085 km through Ambala, Amritsar, Jammu, Udhampur, and Srinagar. The other route covers 1,509 km via Chandimandir, Manali, Sarchu, Nyoma, Tangtse, and Leh.
Purpose and Sponsors
The expedition aims to honor Kargil War heroes, raise awareness, and encourage youth to join the Indian Army. The journey will culminate at Gun Hill in Dras, a significant location during the Kargil War. The event is sponsored by HeroMotocorp, HPCL, Apollo Hospitals, IFFCO, and Bank of Baroda.
