The Army on Saturday launched a large-scale relief and rescue operation - Operation Imdad - in aid of earthquake victims in Jammu and Kashmir [Images].

Despite casualties to own troops and damage to buildings and other structures, the Army swung into action almost immediately after the quake struck the region.

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Joint Control Rooms have been established with civil administration and police at Srinagar [Images], Baramullah and Uri, an official release said in New Delhi.

"Army is providing relief in Uri, Rampur, Baramullah, Naogaon, Tanghdhar, Poonch and other areas. Civilions are being provided medical aid at Camps established in Uri and Poonch and other areas," it said, adding that tentage accomodation has also been established at these locations.

Army, Air Force involved in rescue operations

Civilians were being provided rations, medicines and blankets and Army's patrols had been dispatched with medical staff to the remote areas also.

Army was utilising Indian Air Force helicopters to move doctors and medical teams to the affected areas and to evacuate the seriously injured. From Uri alone, over 20 seriously injured civilians have been evacuated to Srinagar for medical aid, the release said.

Army's Engineer Task Forces, which have been deployed to clear landslides and debris, have already cleared the road to Uri from Baramullah, it added.