GILGIT: The operation to rescue stranded Pakistani mountaineer Asif Bhatti was halted on Wednesday as a result of a rockfall at Nanga Parbat. Nanga Parbat is the second-highest mountain in Pakistan with a threatening death rate.
On Monday, Asif Bhatti, a university professor, and mountaineer, became stranded at camp four. He managed to descend to camp three on Tuesday. He is currently descending the mountain with Israfyl, a climber from Azerbaijan.
The rescue team includes volunteers Shah Daulat and Mohammad Yonus, who are dedicated to ensuring Bhatti’s safe return.
On Wednesday, the Karakoram Club posted a tweet from their official account stating that the two volunteer climbers who ventured towards the upper slopes of Nanga Parbat were unable to proceed beyond Camp 1 due to a rockfall that commenced the previous night.
They noted worsening weather conditions and stated that helicopter rescue was the only option unless the climbers miraculously descended independently. The tweet concluded by requesting prayers for everyone on the mountain, including those at the basecamp.
Asif Khoja, the Social Media incharge, highlighted Dr. Bhatti’s declining health, stating that a helicopter sling operation seemed necessary. He stressed the need for immediate actions and decisions to save Professor Bhatti’s life.
Nanga Parbat, standing at 8,126 meters, is the ninth-highest mountain globally and is notorious for its high fatality rate. The mountain poses significant challenges, including a treacherous ascent, unstable glaciers, avalanches, and storms.
Before the 1953 ascent, Nanga Parbat claimed 31 lives, earning its nickname “the Killer Mountain.”
Nanga Parbat, known as the “western anchor of the Himalayas,” has a death ratio of 22.3%. This ranks it to be the third most dangerous mountain in the world.
