While six security personnel have been killed and six others injured, the Pakistan army said it would continue relief work in earthquake affected areas in Balochistan despite hazards and unabated attacks by “miscreants”.
In a statement on Thursday, the director general Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said even today miscreants fired on Army troops twice, once early morning and then later in the afternoon in Dandar area in Kech District. On Wednesday there were five attacks on troops engaged in relief activities in Mashkay area. In the last one week, the repeated attacks have targeted troops, security forces convoys and even helicopters busy in relief work.
Condemning these attacks, the statement said that security forces will continue relief work in affected areas irrespective of any security hazards.
Over 2000 troops, 14 helicopters and two C-130 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) are engaged in relief work in Awaran, the worst affected in the Balochistan earthquake, which was jolted twice by powerful tremors killing 376 persons. About 134 sorties of helicopters have flown till date to affected areas for transportation of relief items and evacuation of injured persons and 962 tonnes of rations have been distributed so far. Transportation of relief goods is in progress and more than 370 tonnes of relief goods including tents, blankets, water and food items have reached earthquake affected areas which will be distributed soon. More than 800 tonnes of relief goods are on their way from Karachi and Quetta via Bela and Khuzdar.
With over 700 injured, doctors and Para Medics are providing medical treatment in Mashkay, Khuzdar and Awaran. Small medical teams have been sent to the affected areas to provide relief in Labash and Parwar areas. Besides shifting injured people to Karachi and Quetta, more than 2000 patients have been provided medical relief so far in the area.
Baloch guerrilla outfits have been targeting the security forces during earthquake relief operations. Despite appeals to maintain peace they have targeted the army which is unpopular after a massive operation in the area against Baloch nationalists.
