ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday has directed the soldiers to fully cooperate with the civil administration in rescue operation in earthquake-hit Balochistan.
\nIn a statement, the army chief urged to participate in relief activities in the affected areas and assist to overcome the problems of the victims.
\nOn the other hand, the soldiers of Pakistan Army have continued rescue operation in earthquake-hit areas on second day.
\nAccording to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), food items, shelter equipment and other necessary things have been provided to the victims.
\nArmy doctors and paramedical staff members are also performing their duties to ensure proper medical treatment to the affectees. The military media wing further told that citizens are also helping them in this regard.
\nEarlier, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake that struck parts of Balochistan including Quetta before dawn on October 7 left 24 people dead and more than 300 injured as roofs and walls of several houses collapsed.
\nThe tremor was also felt in Sibi, Pishin, Muslim Bagh, Qila Saifullah Kachlak, Harnai and surrounding areas. People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses from the Holy Quran.
\nAccording to National Seismic Monitoring Centre, Islamabad, the epicenter of the quake was located in Harnai at the depth of 15 kilometres.
\nThe quake caused electricity to fail in the region, with health staff working without lights in a poorly equipped government hospital. “We were operating without electricity with the help of torches and mobile flashlights,” a senior official at the Harnai hospital said.<\/p>\n