Heroic Pakistani mountaineers rescue stranded Russian climbers in Karakoram Range

SPECIAL REPORT
SKARDU: Two Pakistani climbers, Muhammad Younus from Rondu and Ghulam Abbas from Hushe, have become national heroes after executing a daring rescue of two Russian climbers stranded on Gasherbrum IV, one of the most perilous peaks in the Karakoram range.
The Russian climbers were trapped for six harrowing days at an altitude of 6,400 meters, battling life-threatening conditions after a tragic avalanche cut off their descent.
Gasherbrum IV, known for its treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather, became the scene of an extraordinary feat of courage and skill.
Younus and Abbas, both seasoned mountaineers, volunteered for the high-risk rescue mission, knowing full well the dangers they would face.
The duo navigated through extreme conditions, including sub-zero temperatures, fierce winds, and the constant threat of avalanches, to reach the stranded climbers.
Their bravery paid off as they successfully reached the Russians, providing them with much-needed assistance and guiding them back to safety.
The rescue mission has been hailed as a remarkable demonstration of human spirit and the enduring bond of the global mountaineering community.
This rescue is a poignant reminder of the hazards climbers face in the world’s highest mountains and the selflessness of those who risk their lives to save others.
Muhammad Younus and Ghulam Abbas’s heroism will be remembered not just in Pakistan but across the international climbing fraternity.
As per details the five-member team embarked on an expedition to one of the peaks of Gasherbrum with the goal of retrieving the body of a fellow climber who had perished there the previous year.However, on Friday, the group was struck by a massive icefall, leaving them in a perilous situation. Rescue operations commenced on Monday, with two climbers being airlifted to safety, but the rescue of the remaining two, who were immobilised due to their injuries, required additional planning.
An army helicopter, supported by local volunteers, managed to rescue the two injured climbers on Tuesday, as confirmed by KarrarHaidri, secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan. Unfortunately, the third climber fell into a crevasse and has not been found.
On Wednesday, Haidri provided an update, stating that the rescued climbers had been moved from the peak to the base camp and were in stable condition.
“A helicopter was set to transport them to the northern city of Skardu, but it could not fly due to bad weather,” he said, adding that efforts were underway to find an alternative means to get them to a hospital.The Russian climbers had chosen an unconventional route on Gasherbrum and were not accompanied by guides or sherpas. While Haidri acknowledged the climbers’ noble intent in ascending the mountain to retrieve a fallen comrade, he also issued a cautionary note.
“Climbers are fully aware of the dangers linked to such missions, but they still opt for dangerous and unexplored routes,” he remarked. “This is how climbers make records but also come across challenges.”
Earlier this month, Pakistani climber MuradSadpara, 35, known for his high-altitude rescue efforts, tragically died while descending from one of the country’s tallest peaks in the north.