Zulfiqar Ahmad
ISLAMABAD, Aug 22: In a jaw-dropping tale of courage amid chaos, a humble shepherd’s lightning-fast warning turned a potential nightmare into a miraculous rescue in the remote Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Late Thursday night, as most of the valley lay deep in slumber, the towering glaciers of the Gopis mountains shattered with a deafening roar – unleashing a massive flood that surged down with unstoppable fury. The village of Tali Das was in the direct path of the watery tsunami. Within moments, over 30 homes were swallowed whole by the merciless deluge. But amidst nature’s wrath, one man refused to stand by.
Ansar, a vigilant shepherd keeping watch over his flock atop the mountain, spotted the terrifying glacier burst just in time. Without hesitation, he grabbed his mobile phone and blasted a warning across the valley, his urgent call ringing through the night.
Thanks to Ansar’s heroic presence of mind, villagers sprang into action – scrambling to safety just seconds before the floodwaters crashed through their homes.
Local resident Raja Zafar Ali Khan recalled the narrow escape: “If it wasn’t for Ansar’s call, we would have been swept away like leaves in a storm. He saved countless lives that night.” Yet the shepherd’s bravery came at a steep cost. With roads washed away and the terrain becoming treacherous, Ansar and his six family members found themselves stranded high above the flood zone – trapped in the very mountains from where he had warned others.
Enter the Pakistan Army – launching a daring rescue mission against all odds. Helicopters sliced through treacherous winds and narrow mountain passes, finally airlifting the stranded family to safety. The operation was a race against time, a battle between man and nature’s deadly forces. The locals of the area have demanded the government bestow the shepherd with awards in recognition of his bravery. This gripping saga from Gilgit-Baltistan reminds us that heroism often comes from the most unexpected places and that sometimes, it is the quiet courage of a shepherd, not the roar of machines or politicians, that saves lives.
Ansar’s quick thinking and unyielding spirit have now become a beacon of hope and resilience etched into the rugged peaks of this unforgiving land.
