CHITRAL: Asif Mahmood, a retired Navy commando, expert diver and paragliding pilot associated with Khanpur Dam, died in a paragliding accident in Upper Chitral.
The 55-year-old resident of Wah Cantt went missing after flying in bad weather.
Mahmood took off from Zaini Pass in Upper Chitral on Thursday afternoon. He was part of a six-member paragliding group.
Paraglider Goes Missing During Flight
According to Zahiruddin Baber, president of Upper Chitral’s paragliders’ association, the weather deteriorated about an hour after takeoff.
Five members of the group landed safely. Mahmood continued flying towards Chitral city.
The group remained in radio contact with Mahmood for around one and a half hours after takeoff. The signal then disappeared.
Rescue teams launched a search operation after losing contact with him.
Officials feared that Mahmood may have crashed or made an emergency landing in the difficult mountainous terrain.
Rescue Teams Search Barum Hills
Rescue 1122 teams searched the high-altitude Barum hills for Mahmood.
The teams suspended the operation overnight because of darkness and poor visibility.
They resumed the search early Friday.
Mahmood’s body was found on Friday afternoon in the highland pasture of Oveer Valley.
A shepherd spotted the body and alerted the authorities.
Mahmood Suffered Fatal Injuries
According to Baber, Mahmood suffered head and spinal injuries after crashing into a hillock.
The accident reportedly marks the first incident of its kind in Chitral in more than 25 years.
