Glacier spits out man frozen for nearly 28 years in shocking find - here's the inside story

The body of Naseeruddin, a 31-year-old Pakistani man who went missing in 1997, has been found well-preserved in a glacier in the Kohistan region of northern Pakistan. The remains were found by a local shepherd on July 31, 2025, near the Lady Meadows glacier, located in a remote stretch in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Remarkably, Naseeruddin's clothing remained intact, and his identity card was recovered with the body, confirming his identity.

Experts say the preservation of Naseeruddin’s body is due to the glacier’s extremely cold temperature, which significantly slowed down natural decomposition. The body’s condition is similar to that of Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy uncovered in the Alps in the early 1990s, which was also preserved by icy conditions.

Disappearance and Search

Naseeruddin went missing during a snowstorm in June 1997. He had been traveling with his brother, Kathiruddin, when the two went into the mountains following a family dispute. During the harsh weather conditions, Naseeruddin took refuge in a cave and was never seen again. Despite constant search efforts by family members and local authorities, no trace of him was found for years, leaving his fate a mystery.


The recent discovery of his body after so many years has brought a mix of emotions to his surviving family. His nephew, Malik Ubaid, expressed relief that the long-standing mystery had been solved. Before the discovery, the family had visited the glacier several times in hopes of finding him but had gradually lost hope as the years passed.

Environmental Context

The appearance of Naseeruddin’s body is also a reminder of the environmental changes taking place in the area. Pakistan is home to almost 7,000 glaciers, the largest number outside the polar areas. But these glaciers are melting at a rapid rate due to global warming and climate change, exposing areas that have been covered in ice for decades and centuries.

Scientists and environmentalists are concerned about the rapid glacial retreat, which has widespread complications for water resources and local ecosystems. The uncovering of human remains like Naseeruddin’s shows the tangible effects of weather change on natural landscapes and cultural history.

FAQs:

Q1. What is a glacier?
A1. A glacier is a large, slow-moving mass of ice formed from compacted snow. Glaciers shape landscapes and store fresh water.

Q2. How do glaciers form?
A2. Glaciers form when the snowfall accumulates over many years and compresses into dense ice. This ice slowly moves downhill due to gravity.