Drass, Jul 7: The Indian Army’s Corps of Signals motorcycle expedition, “Wheels of Valour: Sanchar Shakti,” reached the iconic Kargil War Memorial at Dras after an inspiring eleven-day journey dedicated to honouring the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil War.
The 20-member expedition team, comprising Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), Other Ranks (ORs) and Ladies of the Corps of Signals, has traversed challenging terrain from the plains of North India to the rugged mountains of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, exemplifying the courage, endurance, discipline and teamwork that define the Indian soldier.
Throughout the expedition, the team has paid homage at several historic military memorials across the country. At Hussainiwala, the riders honoured the immortal sacrifice of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev and Shaheed Rajguru, while at the Palampur War Memorial, they paid tribute to Captain Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous), Captain Saurabh Kalia and Major Sudhir Walia, Ashok Chakra (Posthumous), remembering the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of the brave sons of Himachal Pradesh.
The expedition has also visited important Corps of Signals communication nodes, where the team interacted with serving Signallers and appreciated their exemplary professionalism in ensuring seamless, secure and uninterrupted military communications under demanding operational conditions. These interactions highlighted the Corps’ pivotal role in keeping the Indian Army Swift, Secure and Connected.
One of the defining milestones of the expedition was the Corps of Signals Dare Devils’ World Record Attempt inside the iconic Atal Tunnel, Rohtang. Dedicated to Kargil Vijay Diwas, the feat saw 10 riders performing on just two motorcycles, traversing the 9.8-kilometre tunnel in 9 minutes and 47.97 seconds. Executed under comprehensive safety arrangements and strict operational protocols, the event showcased extraordinary precision, balance, endurance and teamwork. The successful conduct of the attempt was made possible through the wholehearted support of the District Administration, Manali, Himachal Pradesh Police, Director General Border Roads (DGBR), Project Yojak, Project Deepak and 38 Border Roads Task Force (38 BRTF).
During the journey, the expedition also engaged extensively with National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, students, veterans and members of the local community. These interactions inspired young Indians to embrace the values of patriotism, discipline, leadership and selfless service while encouraging them to pursue a career in the Defence Forces. The initiative has significantly strengthened the bond between the Indian Army and society.
The expedition reflects the Indian Army’s sustained emphasis on adventure activities as a means of developing leadership, physical endurance, mental resilience, teamwork and operational preparedness. By integrating military adventure with national outreach, the Corps of Signals continues to promote excellence while inspiring future generations.
On reaching the Kargil War Memorial, the expedition team paid solemn homage to the gallant soldiers of Operation Vijay, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to the ideals of duty, honour and selfless service in defence of the Nation.
The expedition will now continue towards Leh, Rezang La, Nyoma, Debring and Sarchu. More than a motorcycle journey, “Wheels of Valour: Sanchar Shakti” has emerged as a national movement celebrating the proud legacy of the Indian Army and the Corps of Signals ķwhile inspiring the youth of India to contribute towards nation-building through courage, discipline and dedicated service.
