KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 11
Ali Sadpara, John Snori and Juan Pablo Mohr went on K2 winter expedition on February 05 and lost signal to base camp and haven't since been heard of.
Search missions have been going since then as far as weather permitted.
According to Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Home Secretary at Gilgit-Baltistan (formerly known as Northern Areas) Government, the search mission for the missing mountaineers started today at 11: 30 am through the help of FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared Radar) system.
FLIR ( Forward Looking Infrared Radar) mission will start at 1130 hrs today. Porters are also on ground for search mission. Prayers requested @AbdulKhalidPTI @iAliTajGB @RNAKOfficial @HomeDeptGB @VOice_OFGB @Tourism_Dept_GB
- Muhammad Ali Randhawa (@RandhawaAli) February 11, 2021
On February 10, the search mission was suspended due to bad weather which restricted SAR activities.
A virtual base camp was also formed consisting of mountaineers such as Venessa O'Brien, Rao Ahmed, Sajid Sadpara who are friends and relatives of Ali Sadpara and John Snori, to help in finding the three missing mountaineers. Iceland Space Agency, ICEYE, Airbus, Planet and e-Geos are also collaborating for real time information with the virtual base camp.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Air Force is on its mission too, and has been working on to find more comprehensive system, other than FLIR, for the search.
Positive and timely response from the corresponding Ministry and support and prayers have been over the social medias since first news of mountaineers going missing have been praised.
The Provincial Minister for Tourism, Sports, Culture & Archeology, and Youth Affairs for Gilgit-Baltistan, Raja Nasir Ali Khan tweeted in the midnight today, "In a high profile meeting it is decided that search activities can only be initiated after tracing exact whereabouts location or imaginary sign of the missing climbers. And for this at least 4 High Altitude climbers and 4 rescuers will be involved. Duration of search activity is likely to be extended up to 60 days. Embassies of both foreign nationals may also be taken on board regarding search activities their assistance in form of international rescue climbers."
T157- #K2winter search update: In a high profile meeting it is decided that
search activities can only be initiated after tracing exact whereabouts location or imaginary sign of the missing climbers. And for this atleast 4 High Altitude climbers and 4 rescuers will be involved...
- Raja Nasir Ali Khan (@RNAKOfficial) February 10, 2021
Meanwhile, Chhang Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks called off the expedition to K2 due to bad weather on February 09 and planned to return to the base camp towards Skardu. He along with other Pakistani climbers and porters had been assisting in the rescue mission.
Compiled by Kriti Joshi
