ITBP's Shatrujeet Kapur Launches Historic All-Women Mt Everest Expedition 2026
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New Delhi, April 19 (NationPress) The Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Shatrujeet Kapur, officially inaugurated the All-Women Mountaineering Expedition–2026 to Mt. Everest (8,848 metres) at the ITBP Headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday, as confirmed by an official statement.
During the ceremony, Kapur presented the expedition flag to the team leader, Bhanita Timungpi, signifying the commencement of the expedition.
The team consists of skilled and highly trained female mountaineers from the Force, as per the official announcement.
Members of this remarkable All-Women Team have previously conquered numerous national and international summits, showcasing their expertise, perseverance, and professional excellence in high-altitude mountaineering.
While addressing the attendees, Kapur referred to the expedition as a representation of women's empowerment, bravery, discipline, and dedication to serving the nation.
He highlighted that this initiative is in line with the vision of Home Minister Amit Shah, who has stressed the importance of such all-women expeditions to exemplify women's leadership and empowerment in challenging environments.
Pointing out the ITBP's remarkable history in mountaineering, he mentioned that the Force has successfully ascended 231 national and international peaks, including four successful climbs of Mt. Everest.
He emphasized that such expeditions are not only adventurous endeavors but also crucial for enhancing operational readiness, building endurance, and improving high-altitude capabilities, particularly in the demanding conditions of Himalayan deployments, where ITBP personnel operate at elevations above 18,000 feet under extreme weather.
The DG expressed trust in Bhanita Timungpi's leadership and the team's capabilities, asserting that this expedition would set new standards in leadership, resilience, and teamwork.
He also remarked that this initiative embodies the ITBP’s forward-thinking attitude, where female personnel are assuming leadership roles in challenging operational fields.
The Director General acknowledged the contributions of the Sports Directorate and all supporting agencies for their thorough planning, coordination, and logistical assistance in organizing this expedition.