Ali Sadpara, other missing mountaineers declared dead | The Express Tribune

The search for three missing mountaineers – including Pakistan’s star climber Muhammad Ali Sadpara – was officially called off on Thursday declaring that they have died on the world’s second highest peak.

The announcement was made by Sajid Sadpara, son of Ali Sadpara, at a news conference at the end of a two-week-long search operation by Pakistani military – arguably one of the longest in the history of mountaineering.

Muhammad Ali Sadpara, John Snorri Sigurjónsson of Iceland and Juan Pablo Mohr Prieto of Chile went missing on K2 on Feb 5 while attempting an unprecedented winter climb without extra oxygen.

The trio was last seen near Bottleneck – the most treacherous part of K2 – by Sajid Sadpara, who was also part of the expedition but had to give up after his oxygen regulator malfunctioned.

Also read: Explainer: Who is Muhammad Ali Sadpara?

“K2 has embraced my father forever,” Sajid told the presser. “To all the climbers who appreciate Ali Sadpara’s achievements and look up to him, I promise that I will carry on his dreams and missions and will continue to walk in his footsteps.”

He thanked the government and the military for the rescue operation in highly hostile weather. He also thanked the Pakistani nation for their love and support and their prayers for the safety of the missing climbers.

Later taking to Twitter, Sajid said, “My father Ali Sadpara and other climbers are no more in this world. “To God we all belong, and to Him we shall return.” He also requested everyone to pray for his father’s forgiveness in the hereafter.

K2 is the deadliest of the world’s five highest peaks. At least 77 climbers have so far died while attempting to scale the 8,611 metres K2 – the fact that has given it the nicknames of “Killer Mountain” and “Savage Mountain”.