Col Avtar Singh Cheema (1933–1989) was the first Indian to climb Mount Everest. He was a part of the third mission undertaken by the Indian Army, in 1965, to climb Mt. Everest after two failed attempts. He successfully conquered the mountain on 20 May 1965. He along with Sherpa Nawang Gombu ascended the SE Ridge. He was Captain in the Parachute regiment at that time and later was promoted to Colonel.
