Spantik Mountain Recovery Mission for Asma Mushtaq Resumes Today

Spantik – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – The recovery mission on Spantik Mountain to bring back the body of Pakistani mountaineer Dr Asma Mushtaq has started again. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar shared the update on Tuesday, saying the weather had finally improved enough for the team to move forward.

Tarar said the rescue team left Base Camp once more and is now making its way toward Camp 2. He added that the group is moving with great care and will keep going as long as the weather stays on their side.

This is not the team’s first attempt. Just days ago, heavy snow and strong winds forced them to turn back while they were close to Camp 3. That setback was hard on everyone involved, since the team had already come so far.

Spantik Rescue Team Update

After the weather conditions improved, the rescue team has once again departed from Base Camp and is now heading towards Camp 2.

The team is moving carefully and will continue the operation as conditions permit. We pray for their safety and success. https://t.co/2AhFTPLyhy

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) August 25, 2026

A day before this update, Tarar had said high-altitude porters were expected to reach Camp 3, recover Dr Mushtaq’s body, and bring it safely down to Base Camp. But the weather did not cooperate, and the plan had to be paused.

To support the effort, a helicopter has now been approved for use. The Gilgit-Baltistan government is working closely with the Force Command Northern Areas to make sure everything runs smoothly. Officials say backup plans are also ready in case conditions change again.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is being kept informed about every step of the mission. His office has shown ongoing interest in seeing the operation reach a safe and successful end.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan has also shared details about where things stand. According to the club, Dr Mushtaq’s body is currently at around 6,400 metres. The team had reached Camp 2 before the earlier halt due to snowfall.

After that setback, the team was told to return to Base Camp and wait until the weather turned safer. This kind of patience is common in high-altitude rescues, where one wrong move can put more lives at risk.

Several groups are working together on this mission. Dr Mushtaq’s expedition company is leading the coordination, along with the Tourism Department, the local government, and the Alpine Club. Climbers from other teams have also stepped in to help, showing the strong sense of community among mountaineers.

The Alpine Club also confirmed that once the team is safely down and Dr Mushtaq’s body has been recovered, there will be a full investigation. This will look into the circumstances of her death and how the expedition company responded during the emergency.

Dr Mushtaq lost her life while coming down from the 7,027-metre summit of Spantik Mountain, part of the Karakoram range. She had reached the top in good health but faced a serious medical emergency caused by high altitude during her descent.

Her mountain guide, Akbar Ali, along with another guide, tried everything possible to help her. Despite their best efforts under extremely tough conditions, they were unable to save her life.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan has expressed deep sadness over her passing. The club sent condolences to her family, friends, and the wider mountaineering community, many of whom knew her through her travels and online journey.

Dr Mushtaq was originally from Lahore and had built a career in Britain as a doctor specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology. Outside of medicine, she loved to travel and climb, sharing her adventures with followers through her vlogs.

As the recovery mission continues, many people across Pakistan and beyond are hoping for good news soon. For now, all eyes remain on Spantik Mountain, waiting for the team to bring Dr Asma Mushtaq home.