THAAD
- THAAD means Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) Battery System
- It is a missile defense system that can engage and destroy short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight.
- A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled, self-guided strategic-weapons system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload from its launch site to a predetermined target.
- It uses kinetic energy to destroy incoming nuclear warheads.
- It can cover a wide area, engaging targets at distances between 150-200 kilometers (93-124 miles).
- It has a “hit to kill” approach which blasts missiles as they enter their target zone during their descent.
Lipulekh Pass
- It is a high-altitude mountain pass located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand
- The Lipulekh is located near the India-China (Tibet)-Nepal tri-junction
- It links the Indian state of Uttarakhand with the Tibet region of China.
- It is the first Indian border post opened for trade with China in 1992.
- Lipulekh Pass has been utilized for centuries as a trade route, connecting the Indian subcontinent with the Tibetan plateau.
- It is an integral part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus.
credits: google images