The frozen body of a hiker who went missing over 25 years ago has been discovered in a glacier, finally resolving a mystery that began in 1997.
Authorities were alerted after finding an ID card with the name Naseeruddin on the body. Police were able to link the remains to a hiker who disappeared in June 1997 in Pakistan after reportedly falling into a glacier crevice during a snowstorm.
Shepherd Omar Khan shared his remarkable discovery with the BBC, stating that the body was intact and the clothing undamaged.
Following confirmation by the police that the body was indeed Naseeruddin, locals provided additional information about the circumstances leading to his tragic end.
Naseeruddin, accompanied by his brother Kathiruddin, was horseback trekking on the day he vanished. According to reports, a family dispute prompted the brothers to leave home together. Naseeruddin entered a cave in the Lady Valley and never emerged, despite extensive search efforts.
Nearly three decades later, on August 1 of this year, Naseeruddin’s well-preserved body was found, attributed to the glacier’s cold temperatures, low humidity, limited oxygen, and snow coverage that can naturally mummify remains for extended periods.
At 33 years old, Naseeruddin, a member of the Saleh Khel tribe, was identified through DNA testing, although his facial features were recognizable to family and friends due to the excellent preservation.
This discovery dispels previous speculations of foul play and offers closure to Naseeruddin’s family after years of uncertainty.
The Kohistan region where he was located is known for its scenic landscapes, attracting local herders during specific seasons.
This case mirrors a similar incident in Peru where climber William Stampfl’s mummified body was found encased in ice 22 years after his disappearance following an avalanche on Huascaran mountain.
Despite extensive search efforts, Stampfl’s body remained hidden under snow for two decades.