Mian Syed Ali Shah died after reportedly falling into a steep gully during his descent from nearly 6,000-metre-high Falak Sar.
SWAT: The body of local mountaineer Mian Syed Ali Shah has been recovered from Falak Sar, Swat’s highest peak, after weeks of search efforts in the remote and treacherous mountain region.
Shah, a resident of Khwazakhela, was part of a six-member mountaineering expedition that reached the summit of the nearly 6,000-metre-high peak. He reportedly slipped and fell into a steep gully while descending from the mountain.
According to fellow climbers, Shah sustained serious injuries and later died amid harsh weather conditions. His body remained at an altitude of around 5,200 metres because the difficult terrain and extreme conditions prevented an immediate recovery.
The search continued for weeks across snow-covered slopes, glaciers and steep mountain routes. A breakthrough came when young local volunteers used a drone to locate Shah’s body on a glacier.
The discovery prompted renewed efforts by his family, fellow mountaineers and local residents to recover his remains. Appeals were made to the district administration and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for helicopter assistance.
An initial attempt to reach the site by helicopter could not proceed because of poor weather and difficult flying conditions. Improved weather on Friday, however, provided an opportunity for rescuers to access the remote location.
Renowned local mountain guide Saddam Hussain and his team played a central role in the recovery operation. With helicopter support, the rescuers entered the hazardous, snow-covered terrain and successfully retrieved Shah’s remains.
The operation was complicated by the extreme altitude, freezing temperatures, glaciers, steep slopes and difficult mountain routes.
The recovery brought relief to Shah’s family and the local mountaineering community after weeks of uncertainty over whether his body could be brought home.
Fellow climbers and residents remembered Shah as a courageous adventurer who was passionate about exploring Swat’s remote and challenging mountains.
“People like Syed Ali Shah leave behind a message that is larger than life,” residents and fellow mountaineers said, describing his passion for mountaineering as an inspiration for young people in Swat.
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