RAWALPINDI: Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Yurevish Dedov called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Thursday.
A statement issued by the ISPR stated that “the visiting dignitary conferred Order of Friendship, Medal for Courage in Salvation and Medal for the Common Wealth in Rescue to 10 officers and two soldiers of Pakistan Army in recognition of their cooperation, commitment and audacity during a search and rescue operation at Latok-1 to rescue Russian mountaineer Alexander Gukov”.
Medal for the Common Wealth in Rescue and Letter of Commendation of Russian Mountaineering Federation were also presented to COAS General Bajwa.
Mountaineer Alexander Gukov was rescued by Pakistan Army in July from 20,650 feet on Latok-1 peak.
“The unprecedented rescue mission was undertaken by Pakistan army aviation helicopters under extreme weather conditions making it the first ever rescue from such a height in Pakistan,” read a press release from the army’s media wing.
The Russian climber had been stuck since July 25 and had exhausted his supplies three days ago. Seven rescue attempts were made between July 26 and 30 but snow clouds prevented rescuers from locating and retrieving the climber.
Matters related to regional security and bilateral cooperation were also discussed during the meeting.