Heavy Snowfall Halts Recovery of Dr Asma’s Body From Spantik
Key Developments:
- Heavy snowfall halts recovery efforts at Spantik Peak.
- Dr Asma’s body remains at around 6,400 metres.
- Helicopter support has been authorised for the mission.
GILGIT (Dawn News) — August 24, 2026: Heavy snowfall and strong winds have forced the suspension of efforts to retrieve the body of Pakistani climber Dr Asma Mushtaq from Spantik Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan, with authorities waiting for safer weather conditions before resuming the operation.
Dr Mushtaq, 34, died while descending the 7,027-metre Spantik Peak, also known as Golden Peak, in Shigar district. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said she had successfully reached the summit before suffering a serious high-altitude medical emergency during her descent.
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Her body remains at an altitude of approximately 6,400 metres, around Camp 3. A recovery team comprising six high-altitude porters reached Camp 2 and attempted to proceed towards Camp 3, but deteriorating weather forced the team to retreat.
Baltistan Division Commissioner Kamal Khan said the conditions had become too dangerous for the recovery team to remain at high altitude.
“Due to continuous heavy snowfall and extremely strong winds, conditions have become very dangerous and risky,” Khan said.
He added that the team had to turn back because it could not safely remain at Camp 2.
“The mission is being undertaken under extremely challenging high-altitude and weather conditions, and the safety of the recovery team remains a priority,” Khan said.
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Severe Weather Halts Operation to Retrieve Body of Climber Dr Asma Mushtaq from Spantik Mountain
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar separately said the rescue team had reached close to Camp 3 before heavy snowfall and strong winds forced it to return to Camp 2. He said a helicopter had been authorised and that coordination had been established between the Gilgit-Baltistan government and the Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA).
Tarar said alternative arrangements were also in place and that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was being kept informed about the situation.
“Whatever can be done in these circumstances, will be done,” Tarar said.
The recovery operation is being coordinated by Dr Mushtaq’s expedition company in cooperation with the tourism department, local administration and the ACP. The ACP has said climbers from different teams are participating in the recovery effort.
The ACP and Gilgit-Baltistan tourism authorities have also rejected claims circulating on social media that the recovery had been intentionally delayed. Officials have stressed that severe weather has been the immediate obstacle to the operation.
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Questions have also been raised regarding the responsibilities of the tour operator. Commissioner Kamal Khan previously said the operator was responsible under the relevant mountaineering rules for arranging ground or helicopter rescue and insurance. He also alleged that mandatory briefing and debriefing requirements had not been fulfilled.
However, Khan also rejected the impression that the recovery operation had been deliberately delayed because of the operator, saying the local administration had arranged a ground team after the incident.
The ACP has said that the circumstances surrounding Dr Mushtaq’s death and the conduct and response of the expedition company will be examined after the recovery operation is completed and teams have safely returned.
Authorities are now awaiting a suitable weather window to resume the recovery effort. The extreme altitude, snowfall and strong winds continue to pose significant risks to those involved in bringing Dr Mushtaq’s body down from the mountain.
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