Sikkim CM flags off NDRF 'Shikhar' expedition to Mt Jongsong, 7,462m peak
Synopsis
India's disaster response force is going where few have ventured — NDRF's 41-member 'Shikhar' team is now headed for Mt Jongsong, a 7,462-metre peak on the Sikkim-China-Nepal border. It is the force's fourth and most geographically ambitious mountaineering expedition, doubling as both a high-altitude training mission and a demonstration of India's disaster preparedness capacity at its most contested frontiers.
Key Takeaways
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang flagged off NDRF's Expedition 'Shikhar' to Mt Jongsong on 4 September 2026 .
Mt Jongsong stands at 7,462 metres on the border of Sikkim , China , and Nepal .
The expedition runs from 4 September to 11 October 2026 with a 41-member team led by Deputy Commandant Nitish Sharma .
This is NDRF's fourth mountaineering expedition, following 'Sahas' (2023), 'Vijay' (2024), and 'Shaurya' (2025).
12 Aapda Mitra volunteers were felicitated by the Chief Minister for contributions to community-based disaster management.
NDRF Director-General Piyush Anand and senior Sikkim government officials attended the flag-off ceremony.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday, 4 September formally flagged off 'Shikhar', the fourth mountaineering expedition of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), to Mount Jongsong — a 7,462-metre peak situated at the tri-junction border of Sikkim, China, and Nepal. The expedition, comprising a team of 41 members, will run from 4 September to 11 October 2026.
Expedition Objectives and Team Briefing
Team commander Deputy Commandant Nitish Sharma briefed attendees on the mission's objectives and the preparations undertaken. According to an NDRF official, the expedition is designed to be 'a challenging test of the team's mountaineering skills, operational preparedness, physical and mental endurance, courage, discipline, determination and team spirit.'
Chief Minister Tamang formally inaugurated the expedition by handing over the expedition flag to the team commander. The event also featured a disaster management demonstration by NDRF personnel and school children, alongside an equipment gallery showcasing specialised gear used in high-altitude mountainous operations.
CM Tamang Recalls NDRF's Role in Sikkim Disasters
During the flag-off ceremony, Chief Minister Tamang acknowledged the NDRF's track record of service to Sikkim. He recalled the 2011 earthquake that devastated the state and credited NDRF with responding promptly and conducting rescue and relief operations under difficult conditions.
Tamang also referenced the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) disaster of 2023, noting that NDRF rescuers reached 'extremely remote and high-altitude areas' to extend assistance to affected communities. He further expressed gratitude for the force's role in a recent tunnel operation, calling the professionalism and commitment of NDRF personnel 'highly commendable.'
He expressed confidence that the Sikkim government and NDRF would continue their coordinated partnership to minimise loss of lives and property in future disasters.
Aapda Mitra Volunteers Felicitated
A notable highlight of the event was the felicitation of 12 Aapda Mitra volunteers by Chief Minister Tamang, in recognition of their contribution to community-based disaster management and public awareness. The honour underscored the growing emphasis on grassroots disaster preparedness in the region.
NDRF's Mountaineering Expedition History
Expedition 'Shikhar' is the fourth in a series of NDRF mountaineering missions aimed at building high-altitude operational capability. The three preceding expeditions were: Expedition 'Sahas' to Mt. Bhagirathi-II (Uttarakhand) in 2023; Expedition 'Vijay' to Mt. Manirang (Himachal Pradesh) in 2024; and Expedition 'Shaurya' to Mt. Kedar Dome (Uttarakhand) in 2025.
According to officials, 'Shikhar' 2026 embodies the spirit of NDRF's motto, 'Aapda Seva Sadaiva Sarvatra' (Disaster Service, Always, Everywhere), and is intended to further strengthen the force's proficiency in operating safely at challenging high-altitude terrain.
Senior officials present at the event included Sikkim Chief Secretary Ravindra Telang, Director General of Police Akshay Sachdeva, NDRF Director-General Piyush Anand, NDRF Deputy Inspector General Hariom Gandhi, Sikkim Relief Commissioner Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, and 2nd Battalion NDRF Commandant Manish Ranjan. With the expedition now underway, all eyes will be on the 41-member team as it attempts one of India's most strategically positioned high-altitude peaks.
Point of View
Particularly relevant given Sikkim's vulnerability to GLOFs and seismic events. The choice of Mt Jongsong, sitting at the Sikkim-China-Nepal tri-border, adds a geopolitical dimension that official statements leave unaddressed. What deserves scrutiny is whether these expeditions are translating into measurable improvements in NDRF's operational response times and success rates in actual high-altitude disasters — the 2023 GLOF response, while praised, also exposed infrastructure gaps that a mountaineering medal cannot fix.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NDRF's Expedition 'Shikhar' to Mt Jongsong?
'Shikhar' is the fourth mountaineering expedition of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), aimed at scaling Mt Jongsong — a 7,462-metre peak on the Sikkim-China-Nepal border. The 41-member team will operate from 4 September to 11 October 2026, with the mission designed to test and strengthen the force's high-altitude operational capabilities.
Where is Mount Jongsong located?
Mount Jongsong is a 7,462-metre peak located in Sikkim at the tri-junction border of India, China, and Nepal. It is one of the higher peaks in the Sikkim Himalaya and presents significant mountaineering and logistical challenges.
What are NDRF's previous mountaineering expeditions?
NDRF has completed three prior expeditions: 'Sahas' to Mt. Bhagirathi-II in Uttarakhand (2023), 'Vijay' to Mt. Manirang in Himachal Pradesh (2024), and 'Shaurya' to Mt. Kedar Dome in Uttarakhand (2025). 'Shikhar' to Mt Jongsong in 2026 is the fourth and highest-altitude mission in the series.
Why did Sikkim CM Tamang reference past disasters at the flag-off?
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang used the occasion to acknowledge NDRF's role in two major Sikkim disasters — the 2011 earthquake and the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). His remarks underscored the close working relationship between the Sikkim government and NDRF, and provided context for why high-altitude operational training matters for the state.
Who were the Aapda Mitra volunteers felicitated at the event?
Twelve Aapda Mitra volunteers were honoured by Chief Minister Tamang at the flag-off ceremony for their contributions to community-based disaster management and public awareness. Aapda Mitra is a central government programme that trains community volunteers in disaster response at the grassroots level.
