London: A Pakistani mountaineering official has claimed that the team led by renowned climber Nirmal Purja, which was earlier reported missing on a mountain in Pakistan since Thursday afternoon, is still in contact.

The 10-member international expedition team, led by world-famous Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, was feared missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan. However, a Pakistani official who spoke to NepalBritain.com via WhatsApp on Friday morning stated that the team remains in contact.

According to the official, a helicopter has been kept on standby in Skardu for a possible rescue operation. The Alpine Club of Pakistan also confirmed that a government rescue team has been deployed to the area.

Pakistani mountaineering authorities said the avalanche occurred around noon on Thursday on Broad Peak, an 8,047-meter mountain in the Karakoram range. Communication with the team had been disrupted following the incident.

According to the BBC, the expedition includes one American, one Chinese, one Omani, and five Nepali climbers.

Team leader Nirmal Purja gained global recognition in 2019 after climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in just over six months.

Authorities have indicated that helicopters will be used in the rescue mission if weather conditions permit.

Broad Peak is considered one of the more challenging mountains and is the 12th highest peak in the world.

In a statement, the Alpine Club of Pakistan said it is in continuous coordination with the government to expedite search and rescue efforts.

The club added that “every possible effort” is being made to ensure helicopter support and mobilize all available resources as quickly as possible.

“In this difficult time, we express solidarity with the families of the climbers and the international mountaineering community, and we hope for their safety and successful rescue,” the statement said.

Nirmal Purja joined the British Army in 2003 and became a Royal Marine in 2009.

His mountaineering journey began in 2012 after reaching Everest Base Camp. Although he initially planned to return, he decided instead to pursue high-altitude mountaineering as his life’s mission.