The mission to recover the body of Pakistani mountaineer Asma Mushtaq from Spantik Mountain has been temporarily suspended due to harsh weather conditions, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Sunday. The recovery team, including high-altitude porters, had planned to reach Camp 3, retrieve Mushtaq’s body, and transport it down to the base camp by Monday.
However, the team was forced to retreat to Camp 2 after encountering heavy snowfall and strong winds near Camp 3. A helicopter has been authorized to assist in the retrieval, with coordination ongoing between the Gilgit-Baltistan government and the Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA). The minister assured that all possible measures under the circumstances will be taken, and alternative plans are in place to ensure the operation’s success.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is being regularly updated on the situation. Meanwhile, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed that Mushtaq’s body remains at approximately 6,400 meters elevation. The recovery team had reached Camp 2 before the operation was halted due to adverse weather. They were instructed to return to Base Camp and await a suitable weather window to resume efforts.
The recovery operation is being managed by Mushtaq’s expedition company in collaboration with the Tourism Department, local authorities, and the ACP. Climbers from various teams are participating in the mission. The ACP also stated that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the circumstances of Mushtaq’s death and the expedition company’s response once the teams have safely descended and the body has been recovered. Appropriate actions will follow based on the investigation’s findings.
Mushtaq passed away after experiencing a severe high-altitude medical emergency during her descent from Spantik Mountain, which stands at 7,027 meters in the Karakoram range. The ACP noted that she had successfully reached the summit in good health but suffered the medical emergency at around 6,400 meters while descending. Her mountain guides made every effort to save her under extremely difficult conditions.
Her guide Akbar Ali and another team member provided immediate assistance following the incident, Karakoram Calling Treks. The ACP extended condolences to Mushtaq’s family, friends, and the broader mountaineering community.
Originally from Lahore, Mushtaq worked in the United Kingdom as a doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Beyond her medical profession, she was an avid traveler, vlogger, and mountaineer who shared her expeditions on social media platforms.
