NEW DELHI: For the first time, a motorcycle expedition comprising of Indian Army personnel has reached the Karakoram Pass located along the Line of Actual Control between India and China.The ‘Himalayan Heights Motorcycle Expedition’ was flagged off from Karu, Leh on April 7, traversed the challenging terrain of Eastern Ladakh, before reaching the Karakoram Pass on Tuesday. The pass is located at an altitude of 18,176 feet on the Karakoram Ranges. The road route from Leh to the pass covers 1,000 km and passes byplaces such as Daulat Beg Oldi, Chongtash, the Depsang Plains and Siachen Glacier.. The route, which in the past was used as the Afghan trade route, has never been explored by any biker in the world. What makes the expedition unique is that it passes through areas such as Daulat Beg Oldi and Siachen Glacier , which in the past have witnessed contentious issues between India and China and Pakistan.Importantly, the expedition celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, which marks the victory of the Indian armed forces over the Pakistani intruders in 1999.“The 11 member ‘Himalayan Heights Motorcycle Expedition’ which was flagged off from Karu (Leh) on April 7 traversed the challenging terrain of Eastern Ladakh, across the Chang La pass and has reached the mighty ‘Karakoram Pass’ situated at an altitude of 18,176 feet on the Karakoram Ranges on April 16,” said army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mohit Vaishnava.The expedition comprises six Indian Army personnel from the Army Service Corps, four from Royal Enfield and one from Himalayan Motorsports Association. Vaishnava said that the expedition is happening in the year when the army’s 14 Corps, known as the ‘Fire and Fury Corps’, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas. The General Officer Commanding of the corps, Lieutenant General YK Joshi, reached the Karakoram Pass to meet and motivate the riders. “He lauded the efforts of the team, especially the two women officers from the Army Service Corps and the woman member of the Royal Enfield Team, who proved equal in strength, skill and spirit to the other members,” said Vaishnava.Joshi had fought during the Kargil War when he was a Lieutenant Colonel and was commanding the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (13 JAK Rif). His character was portrayed by actor Sanjay Dutt in the Bollywood film, LOC Kargil, which was subsequently made.“The Ladakh region was witness to the unparalleled valour, indomitable courage and immortal tales of sacrifice during the Kargil War in 1999. The Himalayan Heights Expedition...demands similar attributes and is a salute to ‘Remember, Rejoice & Renew’ spirit of fortitude, bravery and adventure of the Indian Army,” said Vaishnava.The expedition, in a single journey, will skirt India’s borders with both Pakistan and China. Of note is Daulat Beg Oldi, where a major incursion by Chinese troops had taken place in 2013. Even Siachen Glacier, where both India and Pakistan maintain a permanent military presence, witnessed the army’s Operation Meghdoot to capture Siachen Glacier in 1984.During the journey, the riders will encounter temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius. Several preparations were made before the expedition began. In January, 19 candidates underwent a grueling selection process in Himachal Pradesh. This was followed by an even tougher training schedule in Himachal’s Kinnaur district, where riders were trained to ride on snow, slush and ice. Thereafter, 11 men and women were selected.