Thu Jun 19 16:11:22 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Indian Mountaineer Sheikh Hassan Khan Rescued from Mount Denali After Major Storm**
PATHANAMTHITTA, India – June 19, 2025 – Sheikh Hassan Khan, a 38-year-old mountaineer from Pandalam, Kerala, is safe and descending Mount Denali in North America after being stranded due to a severe storm. According to officials, the Alaska Governor’s Chief of Staff contacted the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to confirm the rescue.
Khan, an assistant section officer in the Finance department at the Secretariat, had embarked on the expedition to plant the Indian flag in honor of the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor. He and his companion were stranded at 17,000 feet with diminishing food and water supplies, prompting an SOS via satellite phone.
“He informed us that he had descended from 17,000 feet to 13,000 feet and reached a new campsite,” said his mother, Shahida.
The rescue operation was accelerated through coordinated efforts between Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Indian Embassy in Washington. Rangers from Denali National Park are maintaining contact with Khan and his assistant, providing assistance during their descent. Khan departed from India on June 4 with his assistant from Chennai and last communicated with his family on June 10 before his ascent.
First Piper 