Indian Army will work in Nepal till normalcy returns

New Delhi, April 28: The Indian Army said on Tuesday that it will continue with its major relief and rescue operation in quake-hit Nepal till the situation becomes normal.

Since an earthquake measuring 7.9 on Richter scale hit Nepal on Saturday, the army has rushed medical and engineering teams along with equipment and even reached the epicentre.

"We are committed to help Nepal... We will provide assistance till the time it is required," said Additional Director General Military Operations Major General Ranbir Singh.

The army, which has some 30,000 ex-servicemen in Nepal and around 38,000 serving Gorkhas with 25,000-28,000 hailing from Nepal, will also use the Gorkhas to facilitate relief work.

Gen Singh said several Gorkha officers from affected areas had been sent to assist the relief and rescue operations.

"They have reached far-flung corners and are sending inputs. There are also many soldiers who had gone home for holiday. We are trying to contact them so they can also help," the officer said.

He did not say how many Indian soldiers will go to Nepal, saying it was a "continuous process".

"Some are already there, some are on way... We cannot give numbers."

The Indian Army, which has close ties with Nepal, has repeatedly pledged to help the people of Nepal.

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, who belongs to the Gorkha Regiment, is also the Honorary Chief of the Nepalese Army. He spoke to his Nepalese counterpart, General S.J.B. Rana, after the devastating earthquake.

The officer said army teams had reached the remotest parts of Nepal, including the epicentre of the quake.

A 45-bed hospital and three field hospitals with 18 medical teams were functional in different areas.

Twelve engineering teams with heavy equipment, including earth moving equipment, are also headed to Nepal to clear roads and tonnes of debris.

IANS