Lt Gen PJS Pannu with the Siachen trek team in Leh on Wednesday. Tribune Photo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 21

A high-altitude Siachen trek was today flagged off from Leh by Lt Gen PJS Pannu, General Officer Commanding, 14 Corps. The aim of the trek, comprising a team of 44 civilian trekkers, was to give an understanding to the participants of the difficult terrain and weather conditions encountered by the soldiers in Siachen and foster a better bonding between the Army and citizens.Initially, the trekking team would move to the Siachen base camp for acclimatisation and orientation training. Thereafter, the trek would be launched on October 2 and terminate on October 13.During his interaction with trekkers, the GOC complimented them for undertaking such a difficult mission and expressed hope that the trek would be a defining moment of their lives. The trek will also go a long way towards enhancement of mountaineering skills in civilians ably honed by the Army in the snow clad mountains of the highest battlefield of the world.