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Army calls off exercise in Rajasthan, redirects troops for relief work

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

The Indian Army has called off its ongoing annual winter exercise near the international border along Gujarat-Rajasthan, and has asked all soldiers to report to the earthquake-affected areas of the two states for relief work.

According to an Army spokesman, this is one of the biggest-ever disaster assistance mobilisations in history. Senior Army officials expressed fears, based on initial assessments available from their field units, that the toll in Friday morning's earthquake might run into a few thousands.

"The troops which were participating in the winter exercises have been asked to report to the affected areas. By tomorrow morning three infantry battalions will reach Bhuj and two battalions will reach Ahmedabad. This will be in addition to the existing soldiers in these areas," an army spokesman told rediff.com.

He said the Army is mobilising emergency medical supplies, heavy engineering equipment, temporary accommodation and soldiers from the four major Army centres in various parts of the country. "Our top-most priority is to get medical supplies and personnel to the affected areas," he said.

From the Army centres -- Bengal Sappers Group in Pune, Chandigarh, Bhatinda and Jodhpur -- the Air Force has already begun airlifting medical supplies and soldiers, a senior Army official said.

Among the Army medical equipment being rushed to the devastated areas are field ambulances, mobile operation theatres, and specialists in almost every field, especially orthopaedics and surgery.

The heavy engineering equipment being mobilised include concrete cutters, bulldozers, stores for temporary accommodation and bridging equipment.

The military hospitals in Bhuj and Ahmedabad have been opened up to the civilian victims of the earthquake.

"Besides, we have also created special facilities for the victims in our hospitals," the spokesman said.

The General Officer Commanding of 11 Division based at Ahmedabad has been put in charge of the Army's rescue and relief operations in that area, while the GOC of 12 Division base at Jodhpur has been put in charge of the work in areas surrounding the city, including Bhuj, the epicentre.

A senior Air Force official said the IAF is providing all airlift assistance to the Army and civilian agencies from various centres. Air Force aircraft have already begun leaving the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi for Gujarat and Rajasthan with emergency medical supplies from civil agencies. At least two aircraft had left with medical and food supplies by the time this report was filed.

"We are on a high alert," the official said. All bases in the Gujarat-Rajasthan region have also been put on alert. The Air Force base at Bhuj has been partially damaged in the earthquake, he added.

"Already we are coordinating with the Army in airlifting their medical and engineering supplies. This would be one of the biggest relief operations undertaken by us," the official said.

He said an emergency control room has been set up at the air headquarters for round-the-clock monitoring the situation.

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EXTERNAL LINKS
The RD Killer Quake of Jan 26, 2001: Technical details
What we can do to assist earthquake victims in India
All about earthquakes in India and their impact
India Meteorological Department's earthquake reports
Disaster relief set-up in India
Major earthquakes across the world in recent times
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