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The earthquake of unprecedented high intensity that occurred on 08 Oct 05, resulted in widespread loss of life and property in J&K. Despite suffering a large number of causalities and extensive damage to the defence works on the Line of Control (LC), the Army immediately launched ‘Operation IMDAD’.
Humanitarian angle being of paramount importance, the Army got proactively involved in providing succour to the affected populace, besides undertaking relief operation in concert with the State Government. Being deployed on a grid pattern in the State, it has been possible for our troops to reach out to most of the far-flung areas at the earliest, against heavy odds.
The Chief of the Army Staff accompanied the Defence Minister on a visit to the affected areas on 09 Oct. Based on the ground realities, necessary direction have been issued and the thrust of the relief efforts has accordingly been adjusted. Army’s prioritized tasks are to save human lives, provide sustenance to the affected population and restore infrastructure.
Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations has been in constant touch with his counterpart in Pakistan and conveyed our sympathies and condolences for the massive damage that has occurred in Pakistan, due to the earthquake. Formation level contacts have been established with the Pakistani commanders offering our assistance, if required. We have offered Pakistan Army all possible assistance, especially in terms of helicopter effort. The Pakistan Director General of Military Operations has stated that for the moment they have adequate helicopters and other rescue efforts, but would approach us if they needed our assistance. The Pakistan Director General of Military Operations has been informed that some of our helicopters engaged in relief and rescue operations would be flying closer to the LC, than the laid down distance, in Uri and Tangdhar sectors. Necessary coordination is being carried out by local commanders on both sides of the LC for any rescue operations.
The details of assistance provided are appended to this press release.
Appendix
OPERATION IMDAD
DETAILS OF RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATIONS
Restoration of Infrastructure
1. The following roads have been made operational by the Army :-
(a) Road Baramulla - Uri. Made operational on 09 Oct 05.
(b) Road Kupwara - Tangdhar . An alternative route has been made operational and engineer resources have been employed to open the main road, which is likely to be made operational by evening of 10 Oct 05.
Rescue Efforts
2. 50 columns ( approximately 2500 personnel) have been deployed for rescue and relief efforts in J & K.
3. 19 Army Dogs have been employed at various places for searching missing personnel.
4. One special rescue team ex High Altitude Warfare School has been moved by air from Sonamarg to Tangdhar.
5. 119 civilian casualties have been evacuated by air from Baramulla and Kupwara Districts to Srinagar.
Relief Efforts
6. Relief Camps. Relief camps have been setup at Uri , Tangdhar, Kupwara, Baramulla and Punch.
7. Aid to SKIMS Hospital, Srinagar. A cheque of Rs 2.5 lakh has been given from 15 Corps to SKIMS. 100 blankets have also been given as immediate relief for civilians.
8. Baramulla District.
(a) 22 Army columns continue to be deployed for rescue and relief efforts.
(b) All civil casualties being evacuated to Srinagar are being treated first at Army Base Hospital, Srinagar and thereafter moved to SKIMS.
(c) Large number of injured civilians continue to be treated in the Army Hospital at Uri.
(d) Five dozers / JCBs have been provided for clearing efforts.
(e) Water bowsers and two generators have been provided to civil administration at Uri.
(f) In Uri, three 45 line exchanges have been established at various camps to include 135 telephones. Nine radio sets with operators have also been provided to establish communication where necessary.
(g) 105 tents have been pitched at relief camp in Uri. In addition tents 861 tents of various kinds have been provided to civil administration to cater for accommodation to 3700 personnel.
(h) Six cook houses have been established to distribute cooked food, in addition all units have opened their cook houses to give food to all those in need.
(j) Rations Distributed :-
(i) Food packets - 3000.
(ii) Rations - 2380 kg.
(iii) Cooking Oil - 150 ltrs.
(k) Clothing Items Distributed :-
(i) Sleeping Bags - 300.
(ii) Mattresses - 300.
(iii) Socks - 500.
(iv) Coat Parka - 300.
9. Kupwara District.
(a) 16 Army columns continue to be deployed for rescue and relief efforts.
(b) 300 civilians have been rescued in Kupwara District.
(c) Large number of injured civilians continue to be treated in the Army Hospital at Uri.
(d) Seven dozers/ JCBs have been employed for clearing efforts.
(e) 46 tents have been pitched at relief camp in Tangdhar. In addition 400 tents of various kinds have been provided to civil administration to cater for accommodation to 2400 personnel.
(f) Five cook houses have been established to distribute cooked food, in addition all units have opened their cook houses to give food to all those in need.
(g) Rations Distributed :-
(i) Food packets - 1550.
(ii) Rations - 3000 kg.
(h) 1000 blankets have been distributed to those in need.
(j) Electricity has been provided to Tangdhar Hospital, in addition two generators have been provided to civil administration at Tangdhar.
10. Punch District .
(a) Two columns with one surgical team has been deployed at Civil Hospital Punch. Eight columns with medical teams have been moved to outlying areas of Punch District.
(b) Two Engineer columns have been deployed in Punch town for relief work.
(c) Six generators installed in make shift colony in Punch town to provide electricity.
(d) 20 tents pitched in Civil Hospital Punch.
(e) Three tented colonies have been established to provide shelter to effected civilians, two at Punch and one in Hill Kaka.
(f) Seven tents pitched shelter at Corporation Office Punch.
11. Additional Resources Mobilised.
(a) Six medical teams, including three surgical teams, have been air lifted from Delhi, Chandigarh and Ambala to Srinagar on 09 Oct 05. A total of nine doctors and 18 para medics have been airlifted.
(b) 135 Arctic tents, 1000 blankets and six extendable tents have been airlifted from Kanpur to Srinagar on 09 Oct 05. Additional tentage is being airlifted on 10 Oct 05.
(c) Six Search and Rescue dogs alongwith Dog Handlers being air lifted from Chandigarh to Srinagar on 10 Oct 05.
(d) Six Engineer Task Forces have been earmarked to move at short notice to Srinagar.
SKS//VKJ/SSR
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