Recovery Mission for Mountaineer Asma Mushtaq Resumes at Spantik After Weather Improves
GILGIT: The recovery mission to retrieve the body of Pakistani mountaineer and doctor Dr Asma Mushtaq from Spantik Mountain has resumed after weather conditions improved in the high-altitude region of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Tuesday that the rescue team had once again departed from Base Camp and was carefully making its way toward Camp 2. The operation had previously been disrupted by heavy snowfall, strong winds and extremely difficult conditions on the mountain.
Dr Asma Mushtaq, 34, died on August 20 while descending from the summit of Spantik, also known as Golden Peak, in Shigar district. She had successfully reached the 7,027-metre summit, but suffered a serious high-altitude medical emergency during her descent. Her body remains at Camp 3 at an altitude of roughly 6,250 to 6,400 metres.
Rescue Team Heads Back Into the Mountains
The latest attempt comes after rescuers were forced to retreat because of dangerous weather conditions.
According to officials, a six-member team of high-altitude porters had previously reached Camp 2 and attempted to move toward Camp 3. However, heavy snowfall, rain and powerful winds made it unsafe for the team to continue.
The rescuers were eventually forced to return to a safer location while waiting for a suitable weather window. The safety of the recovery team has remained a major priority throughout the operation.
With conditions improving, the team has now restarted its climb. Minister Tarar said the rescuers were proceeding carefully and would continue the operation as conditions permitted.
Difficult Mission at More Than 6,000 Metres
Recovering a body from such a high altitude is an extremely challenging task.
Dr Mushtaq's body is located around Camp 3, well above 6,000 metres. At this elevation, thin air, freezing temperatures, unstable snow and rapidly changing weather can make even a routine movement extremely dangerous.
The recovery team must first bring the body down from the mountain to Base Camp. Only after that can an aircraft or helicopter potentially transport it to Skardu.
Officials have explained that helicopters cannot simply retrieve the body directly from the high-altitude location, making the work of the ground team particularly important.
Helicopter Support Authorised
The government has also authorised helicopter support for the recovery operation.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar previously said coordination had been established between the Gilgit-Baltistan government and the Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA). He also said alternative arrangements were being kept available in case weather or other circumstances affected the main recovery plan.
The helicopter option is expected to become particularly important once the recovery team succeeds in bringing Dr Mushtaq's body down to Base Camp.
The authorities have stressed that every available option will be considered while ensuring that rescuers are not exposed to unnecessary danger.
Dr Asma Had Successfully Reached the Summit
Before the tragedy, Dr Asma Mushtaq had achieved the difficult feat of reaching the summit of Spantik.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, she was in good health when she reached the 7,027-metre peak. The emergency developed during the descent, when she suffered from severe high-altitude sickness.
High-altitude sickness can occur when the body struggles to adapt to reduced oxygen levels at extreme elevations. In serious cases, it can affect the lungs or brain and become life-threatening.
Her mountain guide, Akbar Ali, and expedition guide, Muhammad Amin, reportedly attempted to assist her immediately. Despite their efforts under extremely difficult conditions, she could not survive.
Part of a Pakistani Women’s Expedition
Dr Mushtaq was part of a five-member Pakistani women's expedition that successfully summited Spantik.
The expedition included climbers Zoni Aslam, Zaba Shigri, Shama and Sohana alongside Mushtaq. The successful summit had been a notable achievement for the team before the expedition was overshadowed by the tragedy during the descent.
The incident has highlighted both the determination of Pakistani women mountaineers and the severe risks associated with climbing some of the country's highest peaks.
Weather Has Repeatedly Delayed Recovery
The biggest immediate obstacle to the recovery mission has been weather.
Earlier attempts were stopped by continuous snowfall and strong winds. Officials said conditions became so dangerous that rescuers could not safely remain at Camp 2 and had to retreat.
The mountain weather can change rapidly, making it difficult to establish a reliable timetable for the operation. Even when conditions appear to improve, rescuers must carefully assess snow conditions, wind speed and visibility before moving higher.
The latest restart therefore does not guarantee an immediate recovery. The team will continue only as long as conditions remain sufficiently safe.
Government Keeping Close Watch
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been kept informed about developments surrounding the recovery operation.
Tarar has said that authorities are doing everything possible under the difficult circumstances. The government has been coordinating with the Gilgit-Baltistan administration and other relevant institutions to support the recovery effort.
The involvement of government agencies has become particularly important because of the technical and logistical challenges involved in recovering a body from such an extreme altitude.
Questions Over Expedition Arrangements
The tragedy has also raised questions about the arrangements made for the expedition.
Baltistan Division Commissioner Kamal Khan previously said that the tour operator had responsibilities under the applicable mountaineering rules, including arrangements related to recovery, helicopter evacuation and insurance. He also alleged that mandatory briefing and debriefing requirements had not been properly fulfilled.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan has said that the circumstances surrounding Dr Mushtaq's death and the response of the expedition company should be fully investigated once the recovery operation is completed and the teams are safely down.
Any action against responsible parties, if warranted, would follow the findings of that investigation.
Calls for Better High-Altitude Rescue System
The incident has also renewed discussion about Pakistan's high-altitude rescue infrastructure.
Pakistan is home to some of the world's highest mountains and attracts climbers from around the globe. However, rescue operations at extreme elevations remain technically difficult and can depend heavily on local teams, government resources, military aviation and weather conditions.
The Alpine Club has indicated that Pakistan needs stronger mountaineering infrastructure and a more effective high-altitude rescue framework.
A dedicated and properly equipped rescue system could potentially make future emergency responses faster and safer for both Pakistani and international climbers.
A Race Against Time and Weather
For the recovery team, the immediate objective is straightforward but extremely difficult: reach Camp 3, recover Dr Mushtaq's body and safely bring it down to Base Camp.
Every stage of that journey depends on weather and mountain conditions.
The rescuers themselves face serious risks as they climb through an environment with limited oxygen, freezing temperatures and potentially unstable snow. Any attempt to move too quickly could put additional lives at risk.
That is why officials have repeatedly emphasised that the operation will proceed cautiously.
A Tragic End to a Remarkable Achievement
Dr Asma Mushtaq's death came shortly after she achieved the major milestone of reaching the summit of one of Pakistan's most challenging peaks.
Her successful ascent of Spantik was followed by a medical emergency during the descent, turning a mountaineering achievement into a tragedy.
The current recovery mission is therefore not only a technical operation but also an important effort to bring her home to her family.
As the rescue team moves once again toward Camp 2 and eventually Camp 3, authorities and fellow mountaineers are hoping that improving weather will allow the operation to be completed safely.
For now, the focus remains on the recovery team, whose members are working in extremely difficult conditions to bring Dr Asma Mushtaq's body down from Spantik.