Islamabad-(Ikram Ullah Joyia)-After a nine-year wait, the remains of three mountaineers who went missing on the highest peak in Azad Kashmir have been recovered. Usman Tariq, Khurram Rajput, and Imran Junaidi disappeared during an expedition to Sarwali Peak in 2015.
Despite search operations in 2015 and 2016, their fate remained a mystery until last month when two trekkers stumbled upon their remains. A team of local guides and technical experts from the Alpine Club was tasked by the State Disaster Management Authority Azad Kashmir to retrieve the remains from an altitude of 16,000 feet.
The team successfully recovered the remains on September 7, 2024, after braving treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions. Sarwali Peak, also known as Dabbar Peak or Toshe Ri, is a formidable mountain located at the junction of the Neelam and Shounter valleys.
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With a height of 6,326 meters, it is the highest point in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The peak has a notorious climbing history, with no documented successful ascent. Previous expeditions have been abandoned due to altitude sickness, high avalanche danger, and harsh weather conditions. The recovery of the remains brings closure to the families of the missing mountaineers and serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges involved in high-altitude climbing.
