Army rescues Russian mountaineer from Karakoram peak after six-day operation

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SKARDU: A Pakistan Army team on Tuesday rescued a Rusian mountaineer stranded on Latok-I peak which is part of Karakoram range.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Alexander Gukov had been trapped at the height of 20,650 feet for last six days and was rescued after an intense helicopter mission.

The statement by ISPR further read that Gukov ran out of the food three days ago with bad weather preventing helicopters from reaching the spot. “The rescue mission was started on July 26,” ISPR added.

Anna Piunova, the coordinator of the rescue mission, told media that Gukov was shifted to CMH Skardu, however, he is in a critical condition.

Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also visited the hospital and met the Russian mountaineer.

The rescued mountaineer thanked the armed forces of Pakistan for saving his life and praised the hospitality and bravery of the nation.

Earlier, Piunova told a Russian news agency that Gukov has been rescued and on the way to the hospital. “Rescue operation involved two helicopters of Pakistan Army,” she said.

On July 1, Pakistan Army teams rescued two British mountaineers stranded on Ultar Sar mountain located in Hunza Valley after an avalanche hit their tent, a local police official said.

The injured mountaineers identified as Bruce Normand and Timothy Miller were en route Gilgit via an army helicopter, the Hunza assistant commissioner said.

“The body of Austrian mountaineer Christian Huber, who was killed in the incident, is also being taken to Gilgit,” he further said.