The Alpine Club of Pakistan and fellow climbers confirmed on Monday that Pakistani mountaineer Murad Sadpara had succumbed to head injuries. He sustained these injuries while descending Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan. They said they would shift his body to his village if weather conditions permit.
The deceased was an accomplished mountaineer, who hailed from the Sadpara Valley in Pakistan’s semi-autonomous Gilgit-Baltistan area. Sadpara, 35, had an impressive record that included summiting the 8,126-meter-high Nanga Parbat twice in one week. He was also part of a team of Pakistani climbers. Last week, this team recovered the body of a porter, Hassan Shigri, from the K2 mountain.
On Sunday, Pakistani climbers urged authorities to launch a rescue operation for Sadpara. Reports had emerged that he had sustained injuries on the 8,051-meter-high Broad Peak. Dubai-based mountaineer Naila Kiani stated that Sadpara had accompanied a team of climbers on the Broad Peak expedition. They had hired him to go as far as camp 3. When his team returned without summiting the mountain due to bad weather, they were all on their way down. A rock hit Sadpara on the head, severely wounding him.
Tragic Incident During Descent
“In a heartbreaking incident, prominent Pakistani mountaineer Murad Sadpara has died while descending from Broad Peak, which stands at 8,047 meters,” the Alpine Club of Pakistan said in a statement. “Sadpara, well-regarded for his bravery in rescue missions and commitment to mountain clean-up efforts, was severely injured during his descent when a loose rock struck him on the head at Camp One.”
The harsh weather on the mountain hampered the Alpine Club’s rescue efforts. The Alpine Club added that the Broad Peak Rescue Team, dispatched from the base camp earlier in the day, confirmed Sadpara had died after arriving at the mountain’s camp one.
The statement further said that by 2:00 p.m. today, Monday, the team will transfer Sadpara’s body from camp one to the base camp. After that, they will shift it to Skardu via an army helicopter.
A Brave and Dedicated Mountaineer
“At just 35 years old, Murad Sadpara had already established himself as a brave and dedicated mountaineer, passionately advocating for the protection and preservation of Pakistan’s mountainous regions,” the Alpine Club said. “He spent his summers on the peaks, while his winters were devoted to supporting his family by driving tractors. He leaves behind three daughters, a son, and a lasting legacy of courage and selflessness.”
Kiani expressed grief at Sadpara’s passing in a Facebook post.
“I am heartbroken to share that Sadpara is no longer with us,” she wrote. “The rescue team found his body at 6:00 am today.”
Pakistani climber Shehroze Kashif paid tribute to Sadpara, describing him as an “amazing climber” and his best friend.
“He always kept entertaining us, loved singing and never got bored,” Kashif recalled. “I don’t have words to express sadness. I can say may God rest his soul in eternal peace.”
Pakistan is home to five of the world’s tallest mountains that loom above 8,000 meters, including the K2 and Nanga Parbat mountains, known for their treacherous climbs. This year, over 2,000 foreign climbers and trekkers have applied for permits for mountaineering expeditions and trekking in Gilgit Baltistan.
This summer, five Japanese climbers and a Brazilian paraglider lost their lives in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range in separate incidents.
This news is sourced from Arab News and is intended for informational purposes only.
