MANSEHRA: The body of Irish citizen Alexander Mark Harris, who went missing while returning from Musa Ka Musalla, a peak rising more than 4,000 metres in Mansehra district, has been recovered from a deep ravine after a four-day search operation.
Rescue 1122, police, district administration, forest officials and local residents took part in the search. Authorities said the body was identified with the help of a drone in a difficult mountainous area and was later recovered after several hours of effort.
Missing After Mountain Race With Companion
Alexander went missing on August 29 while trekking in the Siren Valley area with his British companion, Allen David Cooper Claydon.
According to Mansehra police, Allen told investigators that the two friends decided to race each other while descending from Musa Ka Musalla to see who would reach the lower area first. Alexander moved ahead and soon disappeared from sight.
Allen reportedly expected Alexander to reach their hotel in Manda Guchha well before him. However, when Allen arrived, Alexander was not there.
Police said Allen initially waited, believing Alexander would return after some time. After waking up and finding that he was still missing, Allen began searching for him before reporting the disappearance to the local police.
Search Operation Hampered by Weather
Mansehra Police said around 200 people participated in the search operation. Teams faced difficult conditions because of intermittent rain, fog, steep ravines and narrow mountain trails.
Deputy Commissioner Khalid Iqbal said the weather made it particularly difficult to recover the body after it was located.
Rescue teams also used drones during the operation. According to Rescue 1122, a body was spotted in a deep ravine in the Paracha area, leading to the recovery operation.
The body is being shifted to Jachha and will subsequently be taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Mansehra for a post-mortem examination. Authorities said it will then be transported to Islamabad after the necessary legal procedures.
No Local Guide Was Hired
Deputy Commissioner Khalid Iqbal said Alexander had not hired a local porter or guide for the trek.
According to the deputy commissioner, hotel management had asked Alexander about arranging a local porter, but he declined, saying he had previously trekked in the area and was familiar with it.
Police also said Alexander had a GPS device, although it did not help locate him during the search.
Alexander Had Been Living in Islamabad
According to his friend and Islamabad-based journalist Hunain Amin, Alexander had been living in Islamabad for around three years and was associated with a consultancy firm.
Amin said Alexander was not a professional trekker or runner but pursued the activities as a hobby. He was also a member of the Islamabad Runners Club.
Musa Ka Musalla is located in the Himalayan mountain range near the junction of the Siren and Kaghan valleys in Mansehra district. The peak stands at an elevation of more than 4,000 metres and is surrounded by steep terrain, deep ravines and narrow trails.
Police said the area is visited by trekkers but is generally not considered suitable for beginners.