RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Jawed Bajwa on Wednesday visited the earthquake affected areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) and ongoing damage repair efforts at Jatlan Canal Road.
“Normalcy should be restored with speed rendering full assistance to civil administration and taking best possible care of the affected population,” the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the army chief as saying.
At least 30 people have died and hundreds other are injured as a result of 5.8 magnitude earthquake in different areas of Pakistan, specially in Azad Kashmir.
Also Read: Earthquake death toll climbs to 30; hundreds other injured
This was reported by local media. The epicenter of the quake was near Jhelum.
Earlier, the Inter Services Public Relations released damage assessment of the earthquake based on aerial and initial physical survey.
According to the assessment, 22 people, including an army soldier, had lost lives in tremors while 160 people were injured as per civil administration record.
Three communication bridges near Jatlan were damaged. The Jatlan-Mangla bridge 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 safe.
Army teams are busy in rescue and relief efforts in coordination with other stakeholders. Army Engineering teams are repairing Jatlan-Mangla Road and bridges at Jatlan.
Doctors and paramedics are providing necessary medical care and CMH Mangla and Jhelum have been made available for all casualties.
Rescue effort will continue till completion.
PM directs to start rescue and relief activities in quake-hit areas
Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed all the concerned departments to provide immediate assistance of all kinds to carry out relief activities in the quake-hit areas.
In a statement, the Prime Minister also expressed concerns over losses as a result of the earthquake.
