Ali Sadpara – a national hero and mountaineer, who was been missing since February 5th has been declared ‘dead’ by his family and Gilgit-Baltistan government on Thursday (today).
Family sources have confirmed Ali Sadpara’s death after he went ‘missing’ while on his K2 expedition 13 days ago.
Sadpara was accompanied by two other climbers namely John Snorri Sigurjónsson and Chilean mountaineer Juan Pablo Mohr Prietoon.
Sajid Sadpara – Ali Sadpara’s son was also accompanying the three veteran mountaineers on their expedition but had to descend due to a technical issue, leaving the others at the Bottleneck, close to the summit.
Sajid also expressed gratitude towards Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) who carried out extensive search operation utilizing helicopters and even F-16 fighter jets to locate the missing mountaineers.
Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Minister – Raja Nasir Ali Khan was also present at the press-conference and confirmed Ali Sadpara’s demise on government’s behalf.
The minister paid homage to the national hero and announced that Mr Sadpara and his son Sajid Sadpara will be bestowed with civil awards for their services and achievements for the nation.
Read More: Paharon Ki Qasam – A heartfelt tribute to Ali Sadpara
Raja Nasir Ali Khan also apprised that the GB government has recommended federal government to re-name Skardu aiport after the Ali Sadpara.
Who Was Ali Sadpara?
Born in Skardu, Muhammad Ali Sadpara, commonly known as ‘Ali Sadpara’ was a Pakistani mountaineer who started his career as a high altitude porter assisting in mountain climbing expeditions.
He traversed the notorious traversed Baltoro Glacier in sub-standard and make-shift gear. However, his love for the mountains and the sport of mountaineering led him to become a successful and acclaimed mountaineer.
Tum chalay aao, paharon ki qasam pic.twitter.com/j4fAqry5E3
— nma (@namaloomafraaad) February 7, 2021
Sadpara and his team were the first one to successfully climb Nanga Parbat in summer back in 2016 – a peak successfully climber quadruple times by the Pakistani mountaineer.
Sadpara’s unmatched skill as a mountaineer is reflected by the fact that he has successfully climbed eight of the total 14 ‘Eight-thousanders’ i.e. 14 mountains that are more than 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) in height above sea level
The list of notable peaks and summits climbed by Ali Sadpara are as follows;
- Gasherbrum II (Pakistan) in 2006
- Spantik Peak (Pakistan) in 2006
- Nanga Parbat (Pakistan) in 2008
- Muztagh Ata (China) in 2008
- Nanga Parbat (Pakistan) in 2009
- Gasherbrum I (Pakistan) in 2010
- Nanga Parbat First Winter Ascent (Pakistan) in 2016
- Broad Peak (Pakistan) in 2017
- Nanga Parbat First Autumn Ascent (Pakistan) in 2017
- Pumori Peak First Winter Ascent (Nepal) in 2017
- K2 (Pakistan) in 2018
- Lhotse (Nepal) in 2019
- Makalu (Nepal) in 2019
- Manaslu (Nepal) in 2019
