Earthquake in Azad Kashmir – prompt rescue and relief activities in progress
Pakistan’s armed forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor had released the message of Chief Of Army Staff immediately after yesterday’s earthquake in Pakistan – directing immediate rescue operation in aid of civil administration for victims of earthquake in AJK.
The earthquake had yesterday caused damages to life and infrastructure in the Azad Kashmir region of Pakistan.
Since then prompt rescue and relief activities in the affected areas of Azad Kashmir are in progress with Army troops equipped with aviation and medical support teams being dispatched.
An aerial damage assessment of the earthquake affected area is already been done and initial physical survey is also being conducted.
As per initial assessment twenty two people (including an army soldier) lost lives in tremors while 160 people were injured.
The ISPR said three communication bridges near Jatlan have been damaged whereas Jatlan-Mangla Road was damaged at multiple locations, rendering it unusable.
In addition, medium to minor damages to weak structures in Mirpur, Jatlan and Jarikas have been reported while Mangla Dam is quite safe.
Several Army teams along required resources, National Disaster Management Authority and civilian administration are continuously busy in rescue and relief efforts.
Meanwhile army engineering teams are repairing Jatlan-Mangla Road and bridges at Jatlan.