Nepal Army conducts high altitude search and rescue exercise in Mustang

The Nepal Army has commenced a two-day ‘High Altitude Search and Rescue’ exercise in Mustang. Organized by the Indrabox Battalion at Jomsom in Gharpajhong Rural Municipality, the search and rescue exercise began on Thursday.

The exercise aims to mitigate potential risks and accidents due to oxygen deficiency, extreme cold, and geographical remoteness in high Himalayan regions, as well as to facilitate search and rescue operations. The Indrabox Battalion has stated that this model exercise is being conducted for these purposes.

The exercise involves the participation of over 55 personnel, including a team of four from the Bhairavi Company in the neighboring district of Manang, along with members from the Indrabox Battalion and the Army High Altitude Training School in Kaisang.

Major Gauravdhwaj Khand, chief of the Indrabox Battalion, stated that enhancing the Nepal Army’s capabilities in search and rescue operations in high Himalayan areas, and developing technical skills and techniques, will aid in effective rescue operations and prevent potential accidents in such risky locations.

The exercise includes practices such as safely rescuing travelers trapped in glaciers and mountainous gorges. On the first day of the ‘rescue’ exercise, a model rock climbing exercise using ropes was conducted on a large rocky hill near the Indrabox Battalion. On the second day, Friday, a ‘rescue’ exercise will be conducted in the glacier area near the Army High Altitude Training School in Gharpajhong Rural Municipality-5, according to the Indrabox Battalion.

The location is at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. A simulated exercise for the search and rescue of trekkers stranded in glacier and snow avalanche-prone areas will be conducted.

The exercise was observed by Western Division Headquarters Division Commander and Major General Bhola Nath Thapa, 23rd Brigade Commander and Brigadier General Vijay KC, Army High Altitude Training School Chief Colonel Sushil Pyakurel, and Indrabox Battalion Chief Major Gauravdhwaj Khand.

Additionally, representatives from the Armed Police Force Nepal’s 33rd Battalion and the Mustang District Police Office were present at the exercise. It is believed that such search and rescue exercises conducted in high-altitude areas will play an effective role in the rescue operations of both domestic and foreign tourists trekking in the Himalayan region.