KATHMANDU: Ten commandos from India's National Security Guard (NSG), the country's elite counter-terrorism force known as the "Black Cats," have summited Mount Everest, completing the entire expedition in just 20 days from leaving Kathmandu.

The NSG Everest Expedition 2026 reached the summit at 3:26 AM on May 23, with the 16-member team, ten Indian summiteers and six Nepali Sherpa guides, operating under the command of Lt. Col. Ram Chandra Thapa. Major Akhilesh Bhatt led the climbing effort, with Mingma Thindu Sherpa serving as Sirdar, according to Chhang Dawa Sherpa. Expedition Director at the Seven Summit Treks.

The expedition was organised by Seven Summit Treks, with director Chhang Dawa Sherpa personally overseeing coordination and logistics from the outset.

The ten Indian summiteers were Major Akhilesh Bhatt (Climbing Leader), Bavinder Singh, Bhoopendra Singh, Pankaj Singh Dosad, Rahul Singh, Ravinder Singh, Satish Kumar, Sonu, Sulinder Singh, and Suresh Kumar. The Nepali Sherpa team comprised Mingma Thinduk Sherpa (Expedition Sirdar), Danuru Sherpa, Lakpa Temba Sherpa, Ngima Dorchi Sherpa, Ming Dorchi Sherpa, Pemba Sherpa, Lakpa Tendu Sherpa, Furtenji Sherpa, Phurtenjen Sherpa, Dawa Rinje Sherpa, Chhangwa Sherpa, Lakpa Tasi Sherpa, Chhiring Sherpa, Pastemba Sherpa, Nima Tashi Sherpa, and Dawa Rinjin Sherpa.

The 20-day turnaround from Kathmandu to summit and back is a notably swift completion for a full Everest expedition, reflecting both the team's physical conditioning and the logistical efficiency of the operation.