Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday expressed grief over the deaths of 10 mountaineers, including renowned Nepalese climber Nirmal Purja, in an avalanche on Gilgit-Baltistan’s Broad Peak, while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the ongoing search, rescue and recovery efforts.

Dar’s statement followed last week’s avalanche on Broad Peak, which killed mountaineers from six countries including Nepal, the United Kingdom, China, the United states, Oman, and Pakistan. The avalanche struck the international expedition as climbers were ascending from Camp 2 to Camp 3 on the world’s 12th-highest mountain.

In a post on X, Dar said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of 10 mountaineers, including the renowned Nirmal Purja.” He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the governments and people of China, Nepal, Oman, the UK and the US.

Dar also paid tribute to Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi of Hunza, “whose courage and abiding passion for the high mountains will be remembered with pride.”

He said the determination and pursuit of excellence shown by those who perished “embodied the true spirit of mountaineering and will continue to inspire generations.”

The deputy prime minister also praised the rescue and recovery teams, saying: “I commend the tireless efforts of our rescue and recovery teams, whose professionalism under the most demanding high-altitude conditions deserves our deepest appreciation.”

Dar added that “Pakistan remains fully committed to the ongoing search, rescue, and recovery efforts” in close coordination with the embassies of China, Nepal, Oman, the UK and the US.

Read: Nirmal Purja among 10 dead in avalanche

Purja, 43, was regarded as one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers. A former British Army Gurkha, he gained global recognition after climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in a record six months and six days in 2019, an achievement featured in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. He was attempting to become the first person to summit all 14 eight-thousanders twice without supplemental oxygen.

Purja’s body was found at approximately 5,700 metres (18,700 feet) on Broad Peak – three days after he and other members of his team were reported missing following an avalanche.

Purja was leading a 10-member expedition that included Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy of Oman; Sakhi of Pakistan; Wang Zhong of China; Mallory Geis of the US; and Pur Bahadur Gurung Yukta, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa, all of Nepal.

The avalanche triggered a major search and recovery operation involving Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters, high-altitude porters and specialist rescue teams. Adverse weather complicated efforts to recover the victims.

The 8,047-metre (26,400-foot) Broad Peak is home to five of the 14 peaks above 8,000 metres (26,246 feet), including K2, where mountaineering accidents are not rare.