Trishakti warriors conquer high-altitude route march in Sikkim
The Statesman | 17 September 2025Conducted from 9-15 September, the six-day exercise saw soldiers traverse steep gradients, icy winds and rocky tracks at altitudes of up to 17,000 feet. Each soldier carried full operational loads — including weapons, equipment and survival gear — replicating battlefield conditions in extreme high-altitude environments.
Army officials said the march tested not only the troops’ physical endurance but also their mental resilience and teamwork, underlining the primacy of human grit in modern warfare.
“Technology enhances our capabilities, but it is the soldier’s grit and teamwork that ultimately wins battles. This march reinforces confidence in our ability to fight and prevail in the harshest conditions,” Lt Gen Zubin A Minwalla, General Officer Commanding of Trishakti Corps, said.
While the Army continues to integrate drones, smart logistics and advanced surveillance systems, such traditional exercises remain vital to prepare soldiers for contingencies where technology could be constrained.
The successful completion of the march underscores the Trishakti Warriors’ commitment to safeguarding India’s eastern Himalayan frontiers and maintaining high standards of operational preparedness.
