New Delhi: September 18, 2007 -  Despite protests by Pakistan, India is reported to have decided to  go ahead with a trekking expedition to the disputed Siachen Glacier in Kashmir. 

"There is no move to call it off and the program shall go ahead as scheduled," as per Sitanshu Kar, Indian defence ministry spokesman.

"It's a routine mountaineering activity which should not be viewed in any other way. The expedition is taking place in an area which is ours," he said.

A group of 40 trekkers, mostly scout cadets and Indian Military Academy trainees, would leave for the region on Wednesday for the 22-day expedition, he added.

The 5,500 metres (18,000 feet) high glacier is known as the world's highest battlefield as forces of the old rivals have faced off there since 1984, laying claim to what some see as a strategic region where a clear frontier was not demarcated as per Reuters.