New Delhi: The Indian Army has claimed that an expedition team sighted mysterious footprints of mythical beast ‘Yeti’ at the Makalu Base Camp in the Himalayas.
“For the first time, an #IndianArmy Moutaineering Expedition Team has sited mysterious footprints of mythical beast ‘Yeti’ measuring 32×15 inches close to Makalu Base Camp on April 9, 2019,” the Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information tweeted late on Monday.
“This elusive snowman has only been sighted at Makalu-Barun National Park in the past,” it added.
The Makalu-Barun National Park is located in Nepal’s Limbuwan Himalayan region. It is the world’s only protected area with an elevation gain of more than 26,000 ft enclosing tropical forest as well as snow-capped peaks.
The Yeti is an ape-like creature, much taller and bigger than an average human. It is covered in thick fur and is believed to inhabit the Himalayas, Siberia, Central and East Asia.
The creature is generally regarded as a legend since there is no solid proof of its existence.
The Indian Army’s claim has triggered curiosity and controversy.
The Army’s official Twitter handle posted a picture claiming to be Yeti tracks in snow.
Army sources later claimed that the basis of going public with the finding was physical proofs of spot narration, photos and videos.
They claimed that photographic evidences matched with earlier theories and the purpose to go public was to excite scientific temper and rekindle the interest.
“BJP must be working out how to fit this into the rest of the campaign,” tweeted National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, linking the Army’s claim with religious beliefs.
“Congratulations, we are always proud of you. Salutes to the Indian Army mountaineering expedition team. But please, you are Indian, don’t call Yeti as beast. Show respect for them. If you say he is a snowman,” BJP leader Tarun Vijay said in a tweet.
Yeti became the top trend on Twitter with a flood of reactions and mocking.
“Also all the Yeti talk reminds me of Tintin in Tibet and that very hackneyed scene where Captain Haddock is in Delhi,” one user posted.
“Hanuman Ji on mountains?? Just a thought,” another tweeted. (IANS)
