Pakistan sends relief goods to avalanche affectees in Afghanistan

RAWALPINDI: The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday that two C130 aircrafts were despatched from Nur Khan airbase carrying relief goods for affectees of avalanche hit areas of Panjsher province Afghanistan.

In a press release, the ISPR stated that the relief items included; tents, blankets, stoves, eatables such as rice, ready to eat meals, and medicines.

On February 25, at least 168 people were killed in Panjsher province, approximately 150 kilometres (90 miles) north of the capital Kabul.

The avalanches came after two days of heavy snow, which destroyed more than 100 homes in the province and blocked main roads, making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the stricken villages.

Deadly avalanches are common in Afghanistan´s mountainous areas in winter. One in the remote far northeast in 2012 left 145 people missing, presumed dead.