Shimla, Aug. 13 -- 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 the 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 tourism, and sen...