Assuring full help to Nepal in wake of the devastating earthquake, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said all resources are being mobilised to help the Himalayan country.
He said IAF has been pressed into service to take NDRF teams, doctors, clothes, medicines, water among others to Nepal, where nearly 700 people were killed after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 on Richter scale struck earlier in the day.
“As directed by Prime Minister, we have mobilised all resources to support Nepal. We have at present diverted three aircraft and two helicopters to carry NDRF team, doctors, food, water and medicine among others to Nepal,” Mr. Parrikar told PTI .
He added that Army chief Gen. Dalbir Singh is in touch with his Nepalese counterpart to extend any help that the nation might need as part of search and rescue operations.
Talking about the situation in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other affected states, Mr. Parrikar said he has directed all Army units and others to carry out rescue operation and extend full cooperation to local authorities.
As the news of the tragic earthquake in Nepal came in, the Defence Ministry had immediately put the Army, BRO and IAF assets on standby.
Indian Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules has already landed at Kathmandu carrying 39 NDRF personnel and 3.5 tonnes of relief material.
Defence sources said two Indian Army field hospitals and two Engineers Task Force teams have been put on emergency standby to leave for Nepal.
A C-17 heavy jet aircraft with 40 rapid action medical team (RAMT) personnel and paramedics has also being pressed into service.
