Sadpara dies at Broad Peak

ISLAMABAD:

In a heartbreaking turn of events, renowned Pakistani mountaineer Murad Sadpara has lost his life while descending from Broad Peak, one of the world's tallest mountains at 8,047 meters.

Sadpara, celebrated for his courageous rescue missions and unwavering dedication to mountain conservation, suffered a fatal head injury after being struck by a loose rock at Camp 1 during his descent. Despite the urgency, rescue efforts were severely hindered by the mountain's harsh conditions, causing a delay.

The Broad Peak Rescue Team, dispatched earlier from the base camp, confirmed the devastating news upon reaching Camp 1.

This year, Sadpara was spearheading a cleanup mission on K2, following his recent successful endeavour to retrieve the body of Hasan Shagri, a fellow climber who had perished on K2 the previous year.

His iron resolve to keep the treacherous paths of the world's second-highest peak clear and safe had earned him widespread respect. However, Sadpara was no stranger to danger, often risking life and limb to bring down the remains of fallen climbers and clear hazardous routes.

 

Tragically, this year's mission on Broad Peak ended in sorrow. After successfully retrieving Shagri's body, Sadpara set his sights on summiting Broad Peak, accompanied by a Portuguese climber.

However, the ascent was cut short when the Portuguese climber fell ill, forcing them to abandon the summit attempt.

During the descent, the loose rock that would prove fatal struck Sadpara, causing injuries too severe for him to survive. Despite the rescue team's best efforts, the treacherous environment made a swift rescue impossible.

Sadpara's body was subsequently moved to the Japanese camp, where it will remain until it can be transferred to the base camp. The body is expected to arrive at the base camp by 2 pm today, after which it will be airlifted to Skardu via an army helicopter.

At 35 years old, Murad Sadpara had already etched his name in the annals of Pakistani mountaineering, known for his fearless spirit and dedication to preserving Pakistan's majestic peaks.

He balanced his mountaineering pursuits with family responsibilities, spending summers on the mountains and winters driving tractors to support his loved ones. He leaves behind three daughters, a son, and a legacy marked by courage and selflessness.

Sadpara gained widespread recognition last year for his heroic retrieval of an Afghan mountaineer's body from Camp 3 on K2.

His death is a stark reminder of the perilous nature of high-altitude climbing, where the line between life and death is thin and unforgiving.

 

Murad Sadpara will be remembered not only for his extraordinary climbing achievements but also for his deep commitment to his fellow climbers and the mountains he cherished.

In a Facebook post, mountaineer Naila Kiani said she was "heartbroken".

"The climber who rescued many others and brought down Hassan Shigri's body from K2 bottleneck is lost too soon," she wrote.

"Special thanks to selfless climbers Dilawar Sadpara, Akber Hussein, Zakir and Ashraf Sadpara for volunteering to bring [Murad's body] down. Also many thanks to Anwar Syed for sending Manzoor and Basharat Hussein from his Broadpeak team for help," she said.

She also extended a "special thank you to the army for their efforts in transporting four climbers to Broad Peak".

Kiani lamented that "valuable time was lost over the past two days due to administrative delays".

She demanded revision of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for "handling such incidents to avoid future delays". She also demanded a no-objection certificate be granted for a private helicopter service or the Askar Aviation to purchase private helicopters.

"This would allow us to have our own helicopters and establish flexible SOPs, reducing our reliance on military resources," Kiani stressed.

 

PM expresses deep condolences

As news of Sadpara's passing broke, a wave of condolences swept in from leaders across the nation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also shared his condolences, offering comfort to the bereaved family.

"The services of late Murad Sadpara in the field of mountaineering will be remembered forever," the prime minister said in a statement.

He prayed to the Almighty for peace for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement, expressed his deep sorrow and extended his sympathies to Sadpara's family, praising the mountaineer's remarkable contributions to the field.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Gulbar Khan paid tribute to Sadpara, calling him a "brave adventurer" and affirming that his legacy in mountaineering would be forever cherished.