British trekker, 30, is found dead in northern Pakistan 'after becoming separated from his friend as they descended mountain'

A British man who went missing during a hike in northern Pakistan has been found dead after he became separated from a friend on the mountain descent, it is understood. Alexander Harris, 30, trekked up the 13,000ft (4,000m) Musa Ka Musalla mountain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday with his friend Alun David Cooper Cledwyn. The pair took photographs at the summit and then began to descend, when they reportedly became separated. 'There was a difference in their speed,' Khalid Iqbal, the Mansehra deputy commissioner, said.'[Mr Harris] was moving faster, he got about one to two kilometres ahead. Then it started raining.' An estimated 300 police officers and volunteers scoured the Musa Ka Musalla mountain, translated as 'Moses' Prayer Mat', during the rescue operation. They searched on foot and with drones. Mr Harris's body was found on a path in a forest in Paracha Jungle, an area locals are believed to 'generally avoid'. It is suspected the trekker and trail runner, originally from Birmingham, slipped and fell. Alexander Harris (pictured) trekked up the 13,000ft (4,000m) Musa Ka Musalla mountain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday with his friend Alun David Cooper Cledwyn Mr Harris, who also had an Irish citizenship, was an experienced hiker and had climbed Musa Ka Musalla beforeHe had been living in Pakistan's capital Islamabad where he worked for global advisory company Adam Smith International. Mr Harris, who also had an Irish citizenship, was an experienced hiker and had climbed Musa Ka Musalla before. It is understood Mr Harris and friend Mr Cledwyn travelled to Siran Valley on Friday, and had not informed authorities or obtained needed paperwork before the ascent at 5.40am local time the next day. Mr Iqbal told the BBC: 'The hotel had offered him a guide and police security, but he said that he knew the area and did not need any help.' Running group Islamabad Run with Us posted a plea for further information on Tuesday, before Mr Harris's body was found. They said he was 'last seen by his friend near Gali', which is the mountain's base camp. 'As per the latest information we have received, one of the remaining areas being searched is Paracha Jungle, a dense and difficult jungle near Gali that even locals generally avoid entering,' the group said. 'If anyone visited Musa ka Musala on Sunday and saw Alex anywhere along the track, particularly while descending from the peak, please comment below or send us a direct message. Running group Islamabad Run with Us made a tribute to Mr Harris on Wednesday'Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could be of great help to the search team.'Meanwhile, running group Margalla Trail Runners, who Mr Harris was believed to have been an 'active member' of, said: 'According to preliminary information, Alex apparently strayed onto an incorrect trail due to adverse weather conditions and severely reduced visibility, subsequently falling into a ravine.'Tributes have since poured in. The running group Islamabad Run with Us wrote: 'With deep sadness, we share that Alex's body has been found in Paracha Jungle. 'We are deeply saddened by this heartbreaking news. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Alex's family and friends during this difficult time.' Running group Margalla Trail Runners wrote: 'Alex had a deep love for Pakistan, particularly its mountains. He was learning Urdu and was deeply fascinated by Pakistan's culture, people and traditions...'We extend our deepest condolences to Alex's family, friends, fellow runners and everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace.' Meanwhile, a spokesman for Adam Smith International said: 'He cared deeply for Pakistan, its people, its nature, and learned Urdu during his time there.'We are deeply grateful to the hundreds of people who joined the search effort, including local residents, volunteers, police, rescue teams, forest department, members of Alex’s trail running community and the government of Pakistan that supported the operation. 'They searched tirelessly in difficult conditions, often in heavy rain, fog and poor visibility, over steep and challenging terrain.'Our thoughts are with Alex’s family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time. We remain focused on supporting his family.'A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Pakistan and are in contact with the local authorities.'