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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, May 8, visited a special photo exhibition in New Delhi that marked 10 years of operations by Tiranga Mountain Rescue (TMR), a volunteer-led rescue group known for high-altitude disaster response and mountain recovery missions.

The exhibition, titled “A Decade of Silent Service to the Nation,” was organised at Manekshaw Centre. It showcased rescue operations carried out in difficult Himalayan regions, avalanche zones, and disaster-hit areas over the last decade.

 Image Source: X Account/ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh Highlights Role Of Rescue Teams In National Security

Addressing Army officials, rescue volunteers, and defence personnel, Rajnath Singh said national security extends beyond military borders and includes civilian safety, disaster response, and support for remote communities.

He said rescue personnel working in mountain regions often operate in extreme weather conditions to assist soldiers and civilians during emergencies. He described TMR as a support system for armed forces deployed in border areas and said such organisations help strengthen local confidence and disaster preparedness in sensitive regions.

Chief of the Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh also attended the event.

High-Altitude Rescue Gains Wider Recognition

TMR founder Hemant Sachdev said the exhibition was dedicated to volunteers who carried out rescue work in life-threatening conditions.

Over the years, TMR has participated in major rescue missions, including the 2022 Tupul landslide in Manipur, the 2023 Sikkim glacial lake outburst floods, the 2024 Wayanad floods, and the 2025 Dharali landslide and flash floods in Uttarakhand. The organisation also assisted in recovery operations linked to the 1968 AN-12 aircraft crash near Rohtang.

“Mountain rescue is not only about climbing. It is about survival, medical response, discipline, and making critical decisions within minutes in extreme weather conditions. We provide world-class training to our teams. Since starting this mission in 2016, our goal has been to support our brave soldiers serving in remote Himalayan regions.”                               - Hemant Sachdev, Founder, TMR

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What Is Tiranga Mountain Rescue (TMR)?

Tiranga Mountain Rescue is an Indian high-altitude rescue organisation founded to support search, rescue, and recovery missions in difficult mountain terrain. 

The group works alongside the Indian Army, local authorities, and disaster-response agencies during avalanches, landslides, floods, and glacier emergencies.

“Our rescue team members and trainers come from different regions, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir. Most of them are former Army personnel with years of experience in high-altitude operations. Their knowledge of avalanche terrain, snow conditions, and mountain survival plays a critical role during rescue missions where time and weather are the biggest challenges.”                                                                                    – Captain Neelchand, TMR

 Image Source: CCN News