Missing paraglider found dead in Upper Chitral

The 55-year-old Mahmood, a resident of Wah Cantt, was part of a six-member paragliding group that took off from Zaini Pass near Terichmir Peak on Thursday afternoon.

The group was flying in the mountainous region when weather conditions suddenly deteriorated. Five members of the group managed to land safely, while Mahmood continued flying towards Chitral city.

Radio contact lost after weather worsens

According to Zahiruddin Baber, president of the Paragliders Association Upper Chitral, the group remained in radio contact with Mahmood for around one and a half hours after take-off. The contact was later lost, raising concerns about his safety.

The difficult terrain and worsening weather made it difficult for rescuers to determine where Mahmood had landed or crashed. Rescue teams feared that he could have crashed into the mountains or been forced to make an emergency landing in the remote area.

Rescue operation continues through difficult terrain

Rescue 1122 teams launched a search operation in the high-altitude Barum hills after Mahmood went missing.

The search was particularly challenging because of the rugged mountainous terrain and poor visibility. The operation was suspended overnight because of darkness and limited visibility.

It resumed early Friday as rescue teams and local people continued searching the surrounding areas. The search teams focused on areas around Oveer Valley and the Barum hills, where Mahmood was believed to have been flying.

Shepherd discovers body in Oveer Valley

The search came to an end on Friday afternoon when a shepherd spotted Mahmood’s body in a highland pasture in Oveer Valley.

His body was recovered from the mountainous area and shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Booni for further legal and medical procedures.

Baber said Mahmood had suffered severe head and spinal injuries after crashing into a hillock. The discovery confirmed the fears raised after communication with the paraglider was lost.

Who was Asif Mahmood?

Mahmood was described as an experienced paraglider and diver.

He was also a retired Navy commando and had been associated with paragliding activities around Khanpur Dam, according to reports.

His experience in adventure sports made the incident particularly shocking for the local paragliding community.

Mahmood was living in Wah Cantt, while his family was involved in arrangements following his death.

Weather played a major role in the accident

The incident occurred after weather conditions changed during the group flight.

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According to the Upper Chitral paragliders’ association, conditions deteriorated about an hour after the group took off. While five pilots were able to land safely, Mahmood continued towards Chitral city.

The sudden change in weather created additional risks in an already difficult high-altitude environment. Mountainous areas can become especially dangerous for paragliders when visibility and flying conditions change quickly.

Why the search was difficult

The Barum hills and surrounding parts of Upper Chitral are difficult to access because of their steep slopes and rugged landscape.

Search teams also had to deal with darkness and poor visibility during the first night. These conditions limited the areas rescuers could safely cover.

The operation resumed the following morning, allowing teams to expand their search across the mountainous area. Rescue 1122 operates in Upper Chitral and maintains emergency response facilities in the district.

Incident reported after more than two decades

The accident has been described by local paragliding officials as the first such fatal incident in Chitral in more than 25 years. The incident has renewed attention on the risks faced by pilots taking part in high-altitude paragliding.

Weather conditions remain one of the major challenges for adventure sports in mountainous areas. The accident also highlights the importance of communication and emergency response during flights in remote locations.

Chitral remains popular for adventure sports

Upper Chitral is known for its high mountains and dramatic landscapes. The area attracts adventure sports enthusiasts because of its challenging terrain and high-altitude environment.

However, the same geography can make rescue operations difficult when accidents occur. Pilots flying in such areas need to closely monitor weather conditions and maintain communication with ground teams.