(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistani Mountaineer Dies in Avalanche on K2, One Injured
A tragic accident on K2, Pakistan’s highest peak and the world’s second tallest mountain, claimed the life of a Pakistani mountaineer after an avalanche struck near Camp 1 on Friday.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the avalanche occurred around 2:30 PM and impacted four climbers. While two climbers returned safely to base camp and a foreign mountaineer suffered minor injuries, Iftikhar Hussain Sadpara, a climber from Skardu, unfortunately lost his life.
🏔️ Body Recovered and Airlifted by Pakistan Army
Following the incident, rescue efforts were immediately launched. The Pakistan Army dispatched a helicopter to retrieve Sadpara’s body from the base camp and transport it to Skardu, where he will be laid to rest in his hometown.
🕊️ Tributes Pour In from Pakistan’s Climbing Community
President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Major General Irfan Arshad, expressed deep sorrow over the loss and extended condolences to the family, friends, and fellow mountaineers. He called the incident a “profound tragedy” for the nation’s climbing community.
Karrar Haidri, Senior Vice President of ACP, also paid tribute, acknowledging Iftikhar Hussain’s dedication to mountaineering and his passion for exploring Pakistan’s challenging peaks.
🌍 Pakistan: A Destination for the World’s Toughest Climbs
Pakistan is home to five of the world’s 14 “eight-thousanders” — mountains taller than 8,000 meters — making it a hub for international climbers. However, these dangerous adventures often come with risks.
K2, located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region near Gasherbrum IV, is renowned not only for its breathtaking height but also for being one of the most dangerous mountains to climb. Numerous mountaineers have lost their lives attempting to summit it.
📜 Remembering Past Tragedies
The latest incident brings back memories of the 2021 tragedy when renowned climber Mohammad Ali Sadpara, along with two others, went missing during a winter ascent of K2. He was later declared dead. Sadpara remains the only Pakistani to have climbed eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks.
Our thoughts are with the family of Iftikhar Hussain Sadpara and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss. His legacy and bravery will remain etched in Pakistan’s mountaineering history.
