Fatal fall into deep ditch: Four tourists found dead along Indus River bank in Skardu

Fatal fall into deep ditch: Four tourists found dead along Indus River bank in Skardu

The four friends at Hussaini bridge in Gojal Hunza days before the incident. — GB police

May, 24 2025

(Web Desk) A tragic mystery that left families and authorities anxious for days finally ended in heartbreak on Saturday morning, as four missing tourists from Gujrat were discovered at the bottom of a 500-foot gorge along the Indus River near Istak village in Skardu’s Roundu Valley.

The young men — Wasif Shahzad, 36, and Umar Ehsan, 20, both cousins from Kot Gakka; Salman Nasrullah Sandhu, 23, of Jassoki; and Usman Dar, 23, of Saroki — had left Gilgit on May 15 for a scenic journey to Skardu. But after they resumed travel on May 16, all contact with them was lost, and their sudden disappearance triggered a frantic search effort.

Skardu officials confirmed that the group’s white vehicle was finally spotted in a deep ravine near Satak Nala, off the Baltistan Highway — a location known for its deadly curves and high accident rate. The car had plunged nearly 500 feet into the gorge and landed near the Indus River. The wreckage told the story of a catastrophic accident.

Rescue 1122 and local police were quick to dispatch teams after the vehicle’s location was identified. Initial visuals revealed that one body was outside the car, while the remaining three were trapped inside. Rescue workers are using ropes and arranging cranes to pull the vehicle up from the rocky ravine.

Police stated that the crash was likely caused by overspeeding on the narrow, high-altitude road. The last mobile signal from the group had been traced to Jaglot. They were supposed to reach Istak in Skardu, but search teams failed to locate them until Saturday morning.

Family members of the deceased were also taken to the accident site, witnessing the horrifying terrain that has claimed many lives over the years. Locals and officials confirm that this dangerous stretch — from Gilgit’s Jaglot to Skardu’s Istak — has witnessed multiple such incidents where vehicles have plunged into the Indus River.

This heartbreaking incident highlights once again the deadly risks of travelling through Gilgit-Baltistan’s breathtaking yet treacherous mountain roads. Despite being a major tourist route, the Jaglot–Skardu stretch lacks essential safety infrastructure. Overspeeding, sharp blind turns, and minimal roadside protection continue to endanger lives.

It’s time authorities seriously reconsider safety enhancements along this route — not just for tourists but for the thousands of locals who rely on it every day.