Shimla, Aug. 12 -- The Surya Spiti Bike Rally, organised by the Indian Army in collaboration with civilian riders, was flagged off Tuesday from Jutogh Cantonment in Shimla, marking the start of August 12-15 expedition to celebrate India's 79th Independence Day at the Indo-China border in Spiti.

The rally was jointly flagged off by Col Swapnil Raut, Commanding Officer, 871 Med. Regiment (Shingo), and Col CK. Gunde, SM, Commanding Officer, 7 Mahar. The culminating event on August 15 will be a ceremonial flag hoisting at Lepcha on the Indo-China border, led by Brig Anurag Pandey, Commander, Tripeaks Brigade.

The event aims to promote civil-military integration, strengthen bonds between the Armed Forces and civilians, encourage border touri...