Legendary mountaineer Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja has died after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain, his expedition company Elite Exped confirmed in an Instagram post on Saturday.

Purja and five other climbers had been reported missing since Friday after an avalanche hit the expedition on Broad Peak’s standard West Ridge route. According to Elite Exped, the incident also claimed the lives of other members of the team.

“Today, it is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak. We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive,” the company said.

Avalanche struck on Broad Peak

Broad Peak is located in the Karakoram mountain range along the border of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan and China’s Xinjiang region, close to K2 in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The avalanche struck the expedition along the mountain’s standard West Ridge route at an altitude of approximately 21,600 to 21,850 feet.

Elite Exped also confirmed the deaths of Purja’s climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa, while expressing condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives.

“The world has lost one of mountaineering’s greatest climbers; a leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often imagine,” the company said.

A pioneering career in mountaineering

Before becoming a full-time mountaineer and expedition guide, Purja served in Britain’s Brigade of Gurkhas and later in the Royal Marines’ elite Special Boat Service (SBS).

He rose to global prominence in 2019 after completing his ambitious Project Possible, climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in just six months and six days, setting a world record.

In 2021, Purja was part of the 10-member Nepali team that achieved the first successful winter ascent of K2, one of mountaineering’s most celebrated achievements.

His accomplishments also reached a global audience through the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, which chronicled his record-breaking expedition and inspired renewed interest in high-altitude climbing.

According to Elite Exped, Purja’s legacy will continue through the organisations he founded and the countless people he inspired to push beyond perceived limits.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the complete counselling schedule for NEET UG 2026 admissions under the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and 100% seats of Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AIIMS, and JIPMER institutions for the 2026-27 academic session.

The counselling process covers admissions to MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing courses. According to the official schedule, the Round 1 registration process will begin on August 5, while verification of the tentative seat matrix by participating institutes will be completed on August 4.

Round 1 counselling schedule

Registration and fee payment for Round 1 will be available from August 5 to August 12 until 3 pm. Candidates can complete the payment process up to 6 pm on August 12.

Choice filling will begin on August 6 and continue until August 13, with the window closing at 11 am on August 13. Choice locking will be available from 4 pm on August 12 until 11 am on August 13.

The seat allotment process will be conducted between August 13 and August 16, while the Round 1 result will be announced on August 17. Candidates allotted seats must report to their respective institutes between August 18 and August 22. Institutes will verify the details of joined candidates on August 23.

Round 2 counselling dates

Verification of the tentative seat matrix for Round 2 will be conducted on August 24.

Registration and fee payment will be open from August 25 to August 29 until 3 pm, with payment accepted until 6 pm on August 29. Candidates can fill their choices from August 25 to August 30, while the choice-locking facility will remain available between 4 pm and 11 pm on August 30.

Seat allotment will take place from August 31 to September 1, and the results will be declared on September 2. Candidates can report and join their allotted institutes between September 3 and September 8, while institute verification of joined candidates will be carried out on September 9.

Round 3 schedule

For Round 3, verification of the tentative seat matrix is scheduled for September 10.

Registration and fee payment will remain open from September 11 to September 15 until 3 pm, while the payment window will close at 6 pm on September 15. Choice filling will continue from September 11 to September 16, with choice locking available from 4 pm on September 15 until 11 am on September 16.

The seat allotment process will be conducted between September 16 and September 17, and the results will be announced on September 18. Candidates allotted seats can report to their institutes from September 19 to September 26. Verification of joined candidates by institutes will take place on September 27.

Online stray vacancy round

The Online Stray Vacancy Round will begin with verification of the tentative seat matrix on September 27.

Registration and fee payment will be conducted from September 28 to September 30 until 3 pm, while payments can be completed until 6 pm on September 30. Choice filling will also be available during the same period, with choice locking scheduled between 4 pm and 11 pm on September 30.

The seat allotment process will be held on October 1 and October 2, and the result will be declared on October 3. Candidates allotted seats must report to their respective institutes between October 4 and October 10.

The MCC has also instructed all participating institutes and colleges to treat Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays as working days to ensure that the counselling process is completed within the prescribed timeline.

Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the proposed delimitation exercise, alleging that it is aimed at weakening Tamil Nadu’s political influence. He urged all political parties, irrespective of ideology, to oppose the proposed legislation in Parliament.

Addressing reporters, the Congress MP claimed the delimitation process was designed to reduce the political strength of Tamil Nadu and appealed to every political party to unite against the proposal.

Rahul Gandhi alleges conspiracy against Tamil Nadu

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was attempting to use delimitation to diminish the political representation of Tamil Nadu.

“There is an attempt by the BJP to carry out delimitation. Delimitation is designed to disenfranchise people and take away the political power of the people of Tamil Nadu. This is a BJP conspiracy,” he said.

He further asserted that anyone supporting the proposed delimitation exercise was “betraying Tamil Nadu” and compromising the state’s future.

Invokes ‘Ettappan’ to criticise supporters

Drawing a historical parallel, Rahul Gandhi referred to Ettappan, a figure traditionally viewed in Tamil culture as a symbol of betrayal, to criticise those backing the proposal.

He described supporters of the delimitation exercise as “21st-century Ettappans” and said no Tamil should support the move.

“Every Tamil person should oppose delimitation. Every Tamil party and every national party should defeat delimitation in the House,” he said.

Debate linked to proposed constitutional amendment

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks come amid speculation that the Centre could reintroduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill during the ongoing Parliament session.

According to the discussions surrounding the proposal, the Bill seeks to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to as many as 850 seats and facilitate the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures.

The speculation has gained momentum following recent political developments and party realignments ahead of the Monsoon Session.

DMK raises concerns over southern states’ representation

Amid the ongoing debate, reports have suggested that the DMK has softened its position on the proposal if the representation of southern states remains unaffected.

DMK leader TKS Elangovan said the government was again attempting to bring the delimitation proposal linked to women’s reservation before Parliament. He added that while political parties have different suggestions, the number of Lok Sabha seats allocated to southern states should not be reduced.