Mountaineer Murad Sadpara goes missing after Broad Peak summit

ISLAMABAD: Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Murad Sadpara has gone missing after successfully scaling Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains, here on Sunday.

As per the details, the incident occurred shortly after Sadpara reached the summit, reports said he collapsed during his descent and lost all contact with his team.

Sugar Deputy Commissioner Waliullah Falahi confirmed Sadpara’s disappearance and announced that Army Aviation has been contacted to assist in the immediate search and rescue operation. Fellow climber Naila Kaiani has appealed to the Pakistan Army on social media to send a rescue team from Skardu to Broad Peak Krampoon Point to save Sadpara.

Murad Sadpara, known for his record-breaking climbs, was part of the team that recently recovered the body of a porter who died on K2 a year ago. His disappearance has shocked the mountaineering community and highlighted the continuing dangers associated with climbing at high altitudes, even on peaks that are considered relatively safe.

Broad Peak, located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, stands at 8,047 meters (26,555 ft) and is one of the “protected” eight thousand. However, this tragic accident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers climbers face in such extreme environments.

Another prominent mountaineer, Abid Sadpara, has appealed to the public to keep Murad in their prayers, expressing frustration on social media at the slow response to his pleas for help.

Pakistan, home to five of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, including K2 and Nanga Parbat, attracts climbers from around the world. In 2023, more than 8,900 foreign climbers visited the remote northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan during the summer mountaineering season, which lasts from early June to late August.

As the rescue operation continues, hopes are high for the safe return of Murad Sadpara, a mountaineering legend whose daring spirit has inspired climbers around the world.