GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Pakistani travel vlogger and mountaineer Dr Asma Mushtaqhas died during an expedition to Spantik Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan, while rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate and recover her body. Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar said in a statement that a rescue team has reached the location where Dr Asma’s body is believed to be present. According to the minister, the search operation has become increasingly difficult because of the vast area and heavy snowfall recorded in the region over the past two days. The intense snowfall has reportedly covered the body completely under snow, making recovery a challenging task for the rescue personnel. Atta Tarar said that the rescue team had been searching for Dr Asma for several hours, but her body had not yet been recovered. He added that the operation remains underway and teams are continuing their efforts to locate her. Dr Asma Mushtaq reportedly died while returning from the summit of Spantik, a prominent mountain located in the Shigar district of Gilgit-Baltistan. Born on February 7, 1992, Asma was known within the mountaineering community for her passion for adventure, mountains and natural landscapes. She also gained recognition as a travel vlogger, sharing her interest in Pakistan’s scenic destinations and outdoor adventures. Recently, Asma had joined an expedition to climb Spantik Peak, which stands at an elevation of approximately 7,027 metres and is located in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range. The mountain is considered one of the country’s notable climbing destinations and attracts mountaineers seeking challenging high-altitude expeditions. According to reports, Asma successfully reached the summit of Spantik along with her guide, Ali Akbar. At the time of reaching the summit, her health was reportedly stable and she was able to complete the ascent successfully. However, problems reportedly arose during the descent. After leaving the summit, Asma allegedly developed symptoms associated with high-altitude sickness, a potentially serious condition that can affect people at extreme elevations because the body receives less oxygen at high altitude. Her guide, Ali Akbar, reportedly provided her with initial medical assistance after her condition deteriorated. Despite the efforts to help her, she could not survive. The incident has highlighted the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering, particularly during difficult weather conditions. Climbers face several hazards during such expeditions, including extreme cold, heavy snowfall, reduced oxygen levels, exhaustion and rapidly changing weather. The recovery operation is now focused on locating Asma’s body in an area affected by significant snowfall. Rescue teams are reportedly facing difficult conditions as they search through snow-covered terrain. Officials have said that the operation will continue until the body is located and recovered. The difficult terrain and heavy snowfall have made the search more complicated, while rescuers are working in challenging mountainous conditions. Asma’s death has been mourned by those familiar with her work and passion for mountaineering and travel. Her journey into Pakistan’s mountainous regions reflected her strong interest in adventure and the country’s natural beauty. The rescue authorities are continuing their efforts, while further details about the recovery operation are expected as the search progresses.
