Search Intensifies for Asma Mushtaq's Body on Spantik Peak

GILGIT-BALTISTAN: A recovery team searching for Pakistani mountaineer Dr Asma Mushtaq has reached the area on Spantik Peak where her body is believed to be buried beneath snow, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday. The operation remained under way as rescuers faced difficult terrain and substantial fresh snowfall at high altitude.

Mushtaq, 34, died on August 20 while descending from Spantik, also known as Golden Peak, after developing a serious high-altitude medical condition. She had successfully reached the 7,027-metre summit before falling ill during the descent. Her body was believed to be near Camp 3, at an elevation of roughly 6,250 metres.

Recovery efforts have repeatedly been complicated by severe mountain weather. Tarar said the team had reached the suspected location but fresh snowfall over the previous two days had covered a wide area, making it difficult to identify the exact position of the body. The search was continuing despite the challenging conditions.

Alpine Club of Pakistan General Secretary Ayaz Shigri said a six-member team of experienced local climbers was involved in the operation. The fresh accumulation of snow has increased the difficulty and risk for rescuers, but the team was continuing its efforts to locate Mushtaq and begin the descent once conditions permitted.

The operation had resumed on Tuesday after an earlier attempt was halted because of heavy snowfall. Unstable weather at extreme altitude can sharply restrict movement, visibility and helicopter operations, leaving ground teams dependent on brief windows of safer conditions to advance or evacuate casualties.

According to the recovery plan described by officials, once Mushtaq's body is located and brought down to base camp, Pakistan Army helicopters are expected to airlift it to Skardu. The timing of that stage will depend on the success of the ground search as well as weather and flying conditions in the area.

Mushtaq had been part of a five-member Pakistani women's expedition on Spantik. The group also included Zoni Aslam, Zaba Shigri, Shama and Sohana. The expedition's achievement has been overshadowed by the fatal medical emergency during the descent and the prolonged difficulties faced in recovering Mushtaq from the mountain.

The incident has again highlighted the hazards faced by climbers in Pakistan's northern mountain ranges, where high-altitude illness, rapidly changing weather and fresh snowfall can turn routine movement into a major rescue challenge. The immediate priority remains locating Mushtaq's body and bringing it safely down the mountain, with officials and the Alpine Club expected to provide further updates as the recovery operation progresses.