The Indian Army signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tiranga Mountain Rescue (TMR) at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) in Delhi Cantt, in the presence of Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff. Maj Gen Manish Luthra, Additional Director General Military Operations (A), represented the Indian Army in signing the MoU, while Mr. Hemant Sachdev, a dedicated mountaineer and Mt. Everest summiteer, signed on behalf of TMR.
This agreement marks a significant step in enhancing the Indian Army’s rescue and survival operations in mountainous terrains. The MoU stipulates that TMR will collaborate with the Indian Army to conduct customized training programs for Army instructors, aimed at improving their skills in avalanche rescue and survival techniques.
General Upendra Dwivedi praised TMR’s contributions and emphasized the importance of this collaboration. He recognized their efforts by awarding Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards to two members of TMR’s Rescue Team.
Lieutenant General Tarun Kumar Aich, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), described the MoU as mutually beneficial for both organizations. He noted that TMR has provided invaluable service over the past nine years, saving numerous lives through its training and rescue efforts. Mr. Hemant Sachdev highlighted that 15 TMR teams are currently deployed in various regions alongside the Indian Army, having successfully saved many lives in avalanche-prone areas.
This MoU builds on the initial agreement made with Northern Command in 2016, which established dedicated avalanche and rescue support from TMR. Subsequent agreements with Eastern and Central Commands in 2021 and 2024 further expanded this partnership. The latest MoU will leverage TMR’s expertise to enhance the Indian Army’s capabilities in conducting effective rescue operations in challenging conditions.
This partnership underscores a commitment to improve the readiness of personnel operating in mountainous terrain while enhancing training and rescue operation standards in high-altitude environments.
