PAF evacuates stranded people from Gilgit-Baltistan

KOHISTAN: Twenty-one people are still trapped under a landslide that was triggered by heavy rain and flood in Othor Nala of Kohistan.

Deputy Commissioner Raja Fazal Khalid said 21 people trapped under the debris were yet to be recovered. He said the Karakoram Highway (KKH) remained closed for all types of traffic. Stranded passengers and truck drivers were facing severe problems due to shortage of food and cash, he said.

He said efforts were under way to restore traffic on the KKH by clearing landslides at various places with the help of the Frontier Works Organisation and local administration.Meanwhile, a PAF transport fleet continued relief operations in the flood-affected areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Three PAF C-130 aircraft landed in Gilgit on Friday. The aircraft flew from the PAF Base Nur Khan with relief goods for the affected areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. On the way back, they evacuated more than 300 people, including 20 foreign tourists, who were stranded in the area due to the KKH’s closure.

The PAF transport aircraft are playing an instrumental role in airlifting relief goods and evacuating the stranded people. The operations will continue till all stranded people are evacuated.