Army expedites rescue operations in quake-hit areas

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Army has expedited rescue and relief operations in the earthquake-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations communiqué, the army teams along with civil administration continued relief operations for the seventh consecutive day in Swat, Dir, Buner, Shangla, Chitral districts and Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai agencies as well as other areas devastated by earthquake.
Over 50 relief camps established by the Pak Army are providing free food and non food items to the affectees.In the last 24 hours, 2,677 families were provided food packets, more than 3,000 tents and blankets were distributed in the affected areas. Up to 19 Army Special Medical Teams provided free treatment to over 2000 patients, including women and children.
The Army Aviation helicopters evacuated six patients and delivered over 5 tones of ration and tents in the earthquake affected areas. The Army engineers cleared slides and bolders on the Lowari Tunnel-Drosh Road, Behrain -Kalam Road and Kalam to Utroor Road. These roads were reopened for traffic.
Army is also assisting the civil administration in carrying out damage assessment survey. A total of 1326 teams have been employed by Army to expedite the survey process so that early payment could be made to the owners of the damaged houses.