Army rescues Russian mountaineer from Latok peak

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army’s pilots on Tuesday rescued a Russian mountaineer, Alexander Gukov, who was stranded at an altitude of 20,650 feet at Latok peak in Biafo Glacier in the northern areas of the country.

He has been shifted to CMH Skardu for necessary medical attention.

The rescue mission was undertaken by the Pakistan army’s aviation helicopters amid extreme weather conditions. It was the first ever rescue mission involving an airlift of a climber from such a height in Pakistan.

The Russian climber was stranded at Latok peak since 25th of this month and had run out of his supplies since last 3 days.

Seven rescue attempts were made but due to snow clouds the climber couldn’t be located or rescued.