Asma Mushtaq body has finally been recovered from the slopes of Spantik Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan after a long and difficult search. The Pakistani climber died on August 20 while descending the 7,027-metre mountain in the Karakoram range after she suffered a serious high-altitude medical emergency.
Deputy Commissioner of Shigar, Sher Afzal, confirmed that local mountaineers located her remains during a search operation and began bringing the body down toward base camp. The team has already reached Camp II. Fresh snowfall continued at higher elevations, yet officials remain hopeful the group will reach base camp the next day if weather stays manageable.
Earlier the same day, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar shared that the search and rescue team found the body beyond Camp 3. He explained that the team is carefully checking site conditions and planning a safe recovery while keeping the dangerous high-altitude terrain and related risks in mind.
The recovery mission faced repeated setbacks. Heavy snow and strong winds had earlier forced the team to turn back near Camp 3. When conditions improved, rescuers set out again from base camp. At one stage the body was completely buried under fresh snow, making the search even harder across the vast area.
High-altitude porters were tasked with reaching Camp 3 and bringing the body down. A helicopter was also cleared to support the effort through coordination between the Gilgit-Baltistan government and Force Command Northern Areas. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stayed informed throughout the operation.
Dr Asma Mushtaq was a well-known Pakistani mountaineer. Her death at high altitude and the long struggle to recover her body have drawn national attention. The latest update brings some closure to her family and the climbing community after days of waiting under harsh mountain conditions.
