Indo-Bangla Armies to undertake joint cycling expedition

The Indian Army and Bangladesh Army will undertake a joint cycling expedition. The programme has been taken up to give a new dimension to engagements between the militaries of the neighbouring countries to a new height.

Around 15 officers and jawans from each side will be participating in the expedition. The expedition will start from Agartala on March 22 and will end in Kolkata on April 2.

After starting from Agartala, the group of 30 officers and jawans will be cycling through major cities in Bangladesh including Comilla, Dhaka, Faridpur and Jessore.

Aftger covering the set route in Bangladesh, they will enter India through Indo-Bangla check point at Benapole. From Benapole, they will start heading towards Kolkata where the 12-day-long expedition will end on April 2. The cyclists will be visiting the places of historical importance in terms of the Bangladesh war of liberation in 1971.

The expedition on the Indian side will be conducted under Head Quarter Eastern Command of the India Army. Lt Gen AS Bedi, GOC Gajraj Corps, and will flag off the expedition at Agartala. Such expeditions would enhance mutual understanding and cooperation between Indian and Bangladesh armies.

It may be mentioned that the Indian Army celebrates Vijay Diwas in December every year to mark the win in 1971 Bangladesh War. Delegation of Bangladesh Army and mukti jodhas visit the Head Quarter Eastern Command of the India Army in Kolkata. In December 2016, the delegation was led by Asaduzzaman Khan, Home Minister of Bangladesh.