Army’s role in earthquake rehabilitation, reconstruction highlighted

Rawalpindi—Exactly two years before, on 8th October 2005, worst ever earthquake in this region, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, hit most parts of Azad Kashmir and NWFP killing more than 73000 . Approximately over 5 million people became homeless in a flash of seconds in affected areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP.
Relief and Rescue operation by the Pakistan Army commenced immediately after the news of earthquake was received in General Headquarters. Within 20 minutes after the news of earthquake was received the first helicopter was airborne. By evening 595 casualties had been evacuated in 12 MI-17 helicopters of the Army Aviation. Troops were moved to Margalla Towers at F-11 sectors in Islamabad to carryout rescue operations. Similarly the rescue operations started in forward areas of Azad Kashmir by troops where ever they were present. In NWFP, troops were moved to Mansehara and Batagram from Abbottabad and Peshawar respectively. In next couple of weeks what world witnessed was an immaculate harmony among its armed forces and the nation. Entire nation along with its armed forces moved out of their homes to help their needy brethren in earthquake hit areas. More than 75000 troops of Pakistan Army were moved from Gujranwala, Sialkot, Kharian, Mangla.
Rescue operations commenced by Army helicopters. All Aviation assets of the Pakistan Army Aviation were mobilized for relief and rescue operations. It was one of the biggest rescue operation which was undertaken by air due to badly damaged and almost non-existence of the road links. Pakistan Army Aviation Pilots undertook some unusual flights to rescue the injured to Combined Military Hospitals and Military Hospitals in Rawalpindi, Abbottabad and other cities. All tents and blankets in the Army stores were shifted to affected areas in first two days. More than 141 helicopters including those from allied friendly countries joined the rescue effort to shift more than 1200000 injured people to the hospitals in main cities. During the month of October Army Aviation and other Pilots flew over 4000 hours to evacuate more than 100000 victims of earthquake. Till April the entire Aviation fleet of helicopters had flown for 12500 hours in affected areas for delivery of relief goods and rescue of injured persons.
While talking about the relief and rescue operations one can never forget the gracious work of the Army Doctors and paramedics. Statistics reveal, that in two weeks after the earthquake, the surgeons at Combined Military Hospital and Military Hospital Rawalpindi operated upon 5000 patients for major and minor surgeries.Mobile Surgical Teams were flown to the affected areas in all military hospitals were flown to the affected areas and all military hospitals in Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Jhelum, Kharian, Gujranwala and Sialkot were put on alert to receive the casualties. 127 Army Doctors along with 250 paramedics were immediately moved to forward areas for provision of first aid and treatment of the victims of earthquake. 186188 injured patients were treated in the Combined Military and Military Hospitals of the Army.
Fourteen Army Engineers Battalions assisted by Frontier Works Organzation were immediately employed after the earthquake for opening up of road communication. All major roads in the affected areas were opened within 36 hours after the earthquake. Army Engineers remained committed in earthquake affected areas and repaired thousands of miles of roads and construction of shelters for the affected people. By beginning of next winter every affected person had been provided a shelter which was a miraculous job done by Pakistan Army Engineers.—ISPR