After a massive 17 hour-long hunt, Pakistani professor and mountaineer, Asif Bhatti, who was stranded on the treacherous slopes of the ‘killer mountain’ Nanga Parbat, has reportedly been located, and is on his way to safety. The search effort, which involved mountaineering teams and helicopters, comes on the heels of the hunt of the missing Titan submarine carrying Pakistani businessman Shehzada Dawood, and his son, Suleman Dawood.
Bhatti, who teaches at AIR University in Islamabad, had been stuck on the mountain since Monday, just before starting his final summit after suffering from snow blindness. His son had appealed to the aviation division of the Pakistani Army’s Northern Area Command in the Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA), but it was the local mountaineering community headed by mountaineer Shah Daukat that launched search and rescue operations. Incidentally, Daukat had scaled Nagna Parbat’s peak last month.
Mountaineers and acquaintances who have been giving real-time updates since the alert was sounded said that Bhatti is safe with Azerbaijan mountaineer Israfel and another Italian climber who were in vicinity, and were able to locate them.
Together, they are making their descent toward Camp-3.
Heli is already at Basecamp!
— Karakorum Expeditions (@KE_xpeditions) July 4, 2023
As per updates, Asif Bhatti and Azerbaijan's climber Isfrafyl have already started the descent towards C3. @KE_xpeditions Shah Daulat who summited #NangaParbat on June 26 without oxygen and another climber M. Yonus are expected to be dropped at C2 by Heli for further assistance… https://t.co/DmZETc5juq
— The Karakoram Club (@KarakoramClub) July 4, 2023
Our friend Israfil (Azerbaijan Climber) with Dr Asif Bhatti are descending to C3. There are Italian climbers too. In the mean time Helis are trying to drop Rescuers from Karakorum Expds, to C2. #RescueAsifBhatti #Nangaparbat @Mirza_climb
— Asif Khoja (@asifkhoja) July 4, 2023
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Bhatti was suffering from snow blindness, rendering him unable to descend on his own. He was stationed at an altitude of 7,500-8,000 meters.
Standing tall at 8,126 meters, Nanga Parbat poses immense challenges even for seasoned climbers. Known for its hostile conditions, the mountain, part of the Western Himalayas, has earned its reputation as ‘The Killer Mountain.’ While reports on climber fatalities attempting the ascent vary, the number is believed to exceed one hundred. This perilous peak stands as the third most dangerous mountain in the world.
Bhatti’s search comes days after the sinking of the Titan submersible that was on an expedition to see the wreck of the Titanic lost communication with its parent company, Oceangate, leaving all five passengers, including two Pakistani nationals, stranded. On 23rd June all 5 passengers were confirmed dead due to implosion within the submarine.