KATHMANDU, MAY 25 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, according to Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Expedition Director at Seven Summit Treks, which organised the expedition. The 26-member team comprised ten Indian NSG summiteers and 16 Nepali Sherpa guides. The expedition operated under the command of Lt. Col. Ram Chandra Thapa, with Major Akhilesh Bhatt as Climbing Leader and Mingma Thinduk Sherpa as Expedition Sirdar. Chhang Dawa Sherpa personally oversaw coordination and logistics from the outset. Indian summiteers: Major Akhilesh Bhatt (Climbing Leader), Bavinder Singh, Bhoopendra Singh, Pankaj Singh Dosad, Rahul Singh, Ravinder Singh, Satish Kumar, Sonu, Sulinder Singh, and Suresh Kumar. Nepali Sherpa guides: 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. The expedition was flagged off by NSG Director General Shri Brighu Srinivasan, IPS. The team also ran a medical camp at Base Camp and took part in garbage clean-up efforts. The expedition reflects the NSG's ethos of 'Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha' (Everywhere Supreme Security), pushing the limits of physical and mental endurance. It also stands as a symbol of courage, discipline, and the strong friendship between Nepal and India at the highest altitudes.