Quake relief operation: Attack on army convoys could invite reprisals

Spokesperson says armed forces reserve right to retaliate if fired upon.

QUETTA/ ISLAMABAD:

Terrorist attacks on convoys and armed forces have hampered the pace of relief work in Balochistan’s quake-stricken zone.

The army will however, continue its relief activities regardless, said Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Salim Bajwa in a press briefing here on Monday.

“Convoys will not be allowed to be attacked. Pakistan Army will continue its relief operations in the quake-hit areas of Balochistan,” said Bajwa, adding that the armed forces reserve the right to retaliate if they are fired upon.

In four incidents of attacks on armed forces engaged in relief activities in Balochistan, four soldiers of Frontier Corps (FC) have lost their lives. At least two high ranking officers have escaped rocket attacks, the military spokesperson added.

“The relief convoys were attacked by the terrorists both in air and on the ground and such attacks affected the pace of the relief work,” said DG ISPR. However, he said the immediate relief has already been provided to all those affected.

Bajwa said the terrain was difficult and the affected population settlements were sporadically spread over a large area. More than 2,000 army officials were spread over hundreds of kilometers to carry out rescue and relief work.

Speaking about casualties, the ISPR chief quoting latest reports said 476 people have died and 425 more were injured in the earthquake.

Malar Town and Mashkey tehsil in Awaran district were the worst affected where the quakes caused 80 to 90 percent damage. More than 20,000 houses were demolished, according to Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) estimates.

“From the population of 300,000, more than 100,000 people were affected,” said Bajwa. He said the rehab work would begin immediately after the completion of relief work.

Gradually, the amount of ration was being increased. Two field hospitals were established in Awaran. Army and Provincial Disaster Management Authority have already set up a medical facility in Mashkey district.

He said 14 helicopters were taking part in the relief activities.

Navy’s work

Pakistan Navy has already dispatched 4,000 kg of relief goods via PN Fokker and helicopters. 4,500 kg of relief goods were dispatched through two additional PN Fokker during the last two days. The relief goods contain medicines, drinking water and more than 200 family tents. PN helicopters are still carrying out rescue operations and pulling out dead and injured people of the quake-hit areas. 

FC denies obstructing relief

A spokesman for the Frontier Corps (FC) denied that the FC troops in Awaran, Lasbela and Khuzdar district are obstructing the movement of relief goods.

A press release issued by its Public Relations Department termed the report in the media and statements ‘baseless’ and a ‘propaganda ploy’.

It said that an impression had been given that the FC troops are hampering the supplies of relief goods to the earthquake affected people. The spokesman claimed that the FC was participating in relief work actively and thousands of troops are engaged in safe delivery of relief goods to different affected areas.

He recalled firing on doctors and rocket attacks on helicopters and looting of some relief goods. In order to ensure safe delivery of the relief goods, the FC is escorting the trucks carrying relief goods to Awaran and relief trucks are handed over to the deputy commissioner of Awaran, the spokesman explained.

He added that the miscreants are carrying out attacks and their supporters are engaged in baseless propaganda against the FC troops and are playing with the sentiments of the Baloch people affected in the earthquake.

The spokesman also mentioned a statement of the inspector general FC saying that he is satisfied with the FC work in quake affected areas and the FC would continue to serve the Baloch people.

Stock of relief effort

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Monday to review the Balochistan earthquake relief work.

NDMA chairman informed the meeting that as per initial assessment 5,000 families are affected and around 125,000 houses are partially or completely damaged due to the earthquake. “Pakistan Army, FC and civil administration are working round the clock to distribute the relief goods.”

The interior minister told reporters that every household is to be reached out and initial supply of at least one month’s ration is to be delivered to each stricken family.

Nisar said an estimated 18,000 food packs have been delivered at Awaran. There are medical teams on the ground with 52 doctors and 41 ambulances. China has donated 3,350 tents and 20,000 blankets along with generators, water purification plants and life saving drugs.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2013.