Nanga Parbat attack fails to deter Slovakians

[Areesh]

ISLAMABAD - Arrival of the dead bodies of two Slovakians mountaineers, who were among 10 mountaineers killed by Taliban in Pakistan, cannot deter six mountaineers from Slovakia who arrived in Pakistan Monday for expedition.

As security forces struggle to arrest the gunmen, who killed as many as 10 foreign mountaineers and trekkers last month on June 23, mountaineers from Slovakia reached Islamabad Monday aiming high to explore mountains in Northern areas of Pakistan. Arrival of mountaineers is being perceived by the Tourism Industry as a good news that was almost fearing death following murder of foreign mountaineers and trekkers.

It was the second group of foreign trekkers that came to Pakistan following Taliban’s brazen attack on foreign trekkers and mountaineers.

Defying terror threats, a six-member team of Slovakian mountaineers arrived in Pakistan in supervision of famous mountaineer Peter Shark. The mountaineers would leave for Gilgit for expedition.

It is important to mention here that Peter Shark, leader of newly arrived team of mountaineers, was well aware of the fact that that two Slovakians were among 10 people killed by unknown terrorists at Nanga Parbat last month. But still, he did not abandon his plan to lead the team to Pakistan despite the fact many of his family members and friends tried to stop him in the wake of killings of mountaineers.

Regardless of the deteriorating law and order situation, K-2, Nanga Parbat and other peaks in Pakistan continue to attract foreign tourists to the country. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Development Corporation, around one million foreigners visited Pakistan.

The climbing season has already started in Pakistan with mountaineers busy attempting to climb up to the 8,000 meters high mountains.
Murder of 10 foreigner mountaineers on June 23 was like a lethal attack on Pakistan’s tourism industry; however, fresh arrival of trekkers and mountaineers is likely to revive the tourism. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said it was good fortune for Pakistan that brave mountaineers were coming to THE country even after the gruesome incident.
Officials of Alpine Club said, arrival of six more trekkers and mountaineers in Pakistan was a good sign that more climbers and adventure seekers were heading towards Pakistan for unique as well as adventurous climbing experiences.

Nanga Parbat attack fails to deter Slovakians

 

[Leader]

thats the spirit ! viva la Slovakia, viva la Pakistan

 

[Jungibaaz]

Good news. But one still has to be cautious.
I hope the authorities have their security all figured out, especially now since the media is reporting their presence.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

The bastard have been identified... and 2 have been caught:

http://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&r...8GcIQ1abKkp4m1tEYb2KiqQ&bvm=bv.48705608,d.eWU


As for Slovacks.... Respect!

 

[Areesh]

Undeterred by the recent killing of foreign tourists by terrorists at the Nanga Parbat base camp, a five-member expedition from Slovakia has arrived in Pakistan to scale a mountain peak in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).

The Slovak expedition, led by Peter Skorik, is aiming to climb the 7,266-metre Diran Peak in Nagar, G-B.

Two Slovaks, Anton Dobes and Peter Sperka, were among the 10 foreign tourists killed along with a Pakistani cook in the June 22 attack at the Diamer face of Nanga Parbat, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility.

Addressing a press conference at the Jinnah Stadium, Skorik said they were shocked after hearing of the news back in Slovakia but decided to go through with the plan because they believed that Pakistan was still safe for expeditions.

“We know that this is a bad time for Pakistan and mountaineering but we are here because, even though this incident happened, this is still a safe country,” he said. “We understand that the people of G-B do not agree with the attack.”

Since the incident, Nanga Parbat has been closed for expeditions. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has banned foreign tourists from visiting Kaghan Valley. Media reports and tour operators have raised concerns that the terrorist attack could be the death knell for Pakistan’s already dwindling tourism industry.

Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) President Colonel (retd) Manzoor Hussain disagreed with the general impression the media had created in the aftermath of the killings.

Hussain said the Nanga Parbat attack was an “isolated incident” and thanked the Slovaks for their bravery in not aborting their expedition. He said that a Polish trekking team had arrived in Pakistan a few days ago and more were expected in the near future.

The ACP, which is facilitating the Slovaks’ expedition, has received special assurances from the G-B government that adequate security will be provided, he said.

ACP Secretary Abu Zafar Sadiq said the expedition would either be flown into Gilgit or driven there in a caravan. From Gilgit, they will be provided an escort who will guide them to the last village near Diran Peak, he said.

Hussain said the G-B government would also be setting up a police checkpoint near the village to prevent unauthorised persons from entering beyond that point.

Martin Pozar, a member of the expedition, said, “We are not here to indulge in politics or solve issues. We are here to climb and learn about your beautiful nature and we hope that the recent incident will not happen again.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2013.

Unfazed and optimistic, Slovak expedition arrives to attempt Diran Peak – The Express Tribune

And this is the Diran peak(7266M) of GB, Pakistan.

 

[A.Rafay]

Respect to these mountaineers, they showed bravery and love for adventure.

 

[Bobby]

Actually this is the right time....no terrorist will go there thinking of extra security....

 

[BATMAN]

The bastard have been identified... and 2 have been caught:

http://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&r...8GcIQ1abKkp4m1tEYb2KiqQ&bvm=bv.48705608,d.eWU

As for Slovacks.... Respect!

I don't buy the story... until army interrogate the captives and not police of Zardari and judiciary of Imran Khan.

 

[jaunty]

They are adventurers, they like to take risks, I guess the taliban angle just adds a little bit more thrill to it, more adrenaline rush.

 

[Windjammer]

Actually this is the right time....no terrorist will go there thinking of extra security....

Doesn't seem to work in Jharkandh though....