Battagram Chairlift Hero Muhammad Ali Swati hnoured with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th May, 2026) Muhammad Ali Swati, who won hearts across the country during the 2023 Battagram chairlift rescue operation, was awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz on Wednesday in recognition of his bravery and rescue services.

The award was presented by Governor, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi during a special ceremony held in Peshawar.

After receiving the award, Muhammad Ali Swati thanked the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) for continuously highlighting his rescue efforts and encouraging him since the Battagram operation.

“I am thankful to APP for always promoting and supporting me. The love and encouragement from people across Pakistan gave me courage and motivation,” he said while talking to APP.

The Battagram chairlift incident took place in August 2023 when a cable of a chairlift carrying schoolchildren and local residents snapped in the mountainous Allai area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leaving passengers trapped hundreds of feet above a deep ravine for several hours.

As rescue teams faced difficulties due to strong winds and the fragile condition of the suspended chairlift, Muhammad Ali Swati voluntarily joined the operation and helped rescue stranded passengers through rope and zipline techniques.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

The rescue operation continued for several hours and remained one of the most challenging civilian rescue missions in the country’s recent history.

Swati, who belonged to Mansehra district and is known for his expertise in mountain rescue and zipline operations, received nationwide praise for his courage, calmness and technical skills during the high-risk mission.

Following the operation, social media users, journalists and people from different walks of life demanded official recognition for the brave volunteer rescuers who risked their lives to save innocent passengers, especially children trapped in the chairlift.

The Tamgha-i-Imtiaz is one of Pakistan’s highest civilian awards and is conferred upon individuals for distinguished services in different fields.

The Battagram rescue operation is still remembered as a symbol of courage, humanity and unity, particularly highlighting the important role played by local volunteers during emergencies in remote mountainous areas of the country.