Rescue teams concluded a week-long search by recovering the bodies of four young tourists from Gujrat, Punjab, from a ravine near Astak Nallah along the Gilgit-Skardu road.
The victims, Wasif Shahzad, 36; Umar Ehsan, 20; Salman Sindhu, 23; and Usman Dar, 23, were part of an extended family who embarked on a road trip to northern Pakistan on May 12, visiting Gilgit, Hunza, and Skardu.
Gilgit-Baltistan police reported the group’s last known contact was on May 15, when they stayed at a guesthouse in Danyor, near Gilgit. The next morning, they headed toward Skardu but lost communication. CCTV footage captured their vehicle on the Jaglot-Skardu road in the Sasi area at 10:37 a.m. on May 16, but it never reached the Dambodas checkpoint.
After families reported them missing, authorities launched an extensive search across checkpoints and mountainous terrain. On Friday, rescue teams located the vehicle in a deep gorge near Ganji Padi, a treacherous section of the road. Rescue 1122 officials confirmed three bodies were found inside the wreckage and one outside. Local police, tourist police, and rescue teams collaborated in the recovery effort.
Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Iman Shah confirmed the tragic deaths and extended condolences to the families. The incident underscores the dangers of travelling on remote, rugged routes in northern Pakistan, prompting calls for enhanced road safety measures.
