French paraglider goes missing in Pakistan

A search and rescue operation is underway for a French paraglider who went missing in Pakistan.

Army helicopters are assisting local volunteers in the mountainous Gilgit Baltistan region where the foreigner went missing.

Savall Xavier, took off with two Spanish paragliders, from a peak in Duikar village of the scenic Hunza valley on Saturday evening, said Karrar Haidri, who heads the Alpine Club of Pakistan, a state-run mountaineering association.

The Spanish paragliders landed safely, but Xavier is unaccounted for.

The trio reportedly arrived in Hunza late last month.

Gilgit Baltistan is home to the six peaks of over 8,000-meter altitude, including the world’s second tallest peak K-2.

A large number of tourists visit the region every year for expeditions on various peaks, paragliding and other sports.