Pak Army conducts successful rescue operation at K2 base camp

Samina Baig was part of an international-level K2 expedition

By NNI
July 08, 2024
In this screengrab, taken from a handout video released by Pakistan’s Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) on July 7, 2024, military officials rescue Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig from K2 base camp. — ISPR
In this screengrab, taken from a handout video released by Pakistan’s Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) on July 7, 2024, military officials rescue Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig from K2 base camp. — ISPR

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army on Sunday successfully rescued renowned woman climber Samina Baig from the K-2 base camp after her health deteriorated.

Samina Baig was part of an international-level K2 expedition. Samina was the first Pakistani woman to climb the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest in 2013 at the age of 21. She has also summited Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world, and the Seven Summits in seven continents.

Samina Baig currently was part of an eight-member Pakistan-Italy joint women K2 expedition team. She was forced to quit her climb on July 5 because of severe health issues.

She was moved from the K2 base camp to Shigar’s Askole area after a long journey on horseback in critical condition.

Because of inclement weather, the Army helicopter was unable to reach the base camp to rescue her. Baig was later transported to Skardu by road.

A team of Pakistani Army doctors is providing Baig with medical care at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Skardu. According to sources, Baig’s health has slightly improved due to the decrease in altitude. The decision to transfer Baig from Skardu will be made after evaluating her health condition.