A young mountaineer from Shimshal tragically loses his life in an ice climbing accident in Hunza.

According to officials, Shah Daulat, 31, a resident of Shimshal, was climbing an ice wall in Khyber village alongside a foreign tourist. The two were engaged in ice climbing practice, as the mountain forms a steep ice wall during the winter. On Friday evening, during the ascent, Shah Daulat unexpectedly lost his footing on the ice and fell approximately 400 meters, suffering fatal injuries. He died instantly. 

Local volunteers later retrieved his body and transported it to a government hospital in Sost, located near the Pakistan–China border at Khunjerab Pass. On Saturday, his remains were sent back to Shimshal for burial. Shah Daulat was a young and highly esteemed climber from Shimshal. He had successfully reached the summits of four eight-thousand-meter peaks, including the world’s second-highest peak, K2 (8,611m), Nanga Parbat (8,126m), Gasherbrum-II (8,035m), and Gasherbrum-I (8,080m).

In 2025, he accomplished the remarkable feat of summiting Gasherbrum-I without the use of supplementary oxygen, earning him recognition as one of the strongest climbers in the region. Shah Daulat was related to the renowned Pakistani female mountaineer Samina Baig and participated in her K2 expedition in 2022.

In a post on her official Facebook page, Samina Baig conveyed her profound sorrow, stating: “Shah Daulat was a true gem in our family — a beloved younger brother (cousin) taken from us far too soon. The weight of this loss is immense, and words cannot express it. A young mountaineer, he accomplished so much in his brief life, touching many hearts with his bravery and gentle spirit.

May he find peace among the mountains he cherished. He will always be in our hearts, remembered with love and quiet pride.” Climbers, politicians, and members of civil society expressed their deep condolences over Shah Daulat’s tragic passing, honoring his contributions to the sport of mountaineering.

Trekker and biker Ammara Sharif remarked, “I am profoundly saddened and at a loss for words regarding the tragic loss of young mountaineer Shah Daulat. He departed this world far too soon, but his bravery, passion for the mountains, and legacy will endure.