Stopped ops, troops will go back: NDRF DG

Kathmandu, May 4: India's NDRF began withdrawal of its men from quake-hit Nepal after the country asked foreign rescuers to end their humanitarian efforts.

"We have begun a phased withdrawal of our units after Nepal made a request for stopping the relief and rescue efforts. The going back will be phased and in the first instance three teams will leave by road to Patna today," National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief O P Singh told PTI here.

[Nepalese Govt ask foreign rescue workers to return home]

The NDRF DG, who has been camping here for the last nine days to lead his men, said there is a "very remote possibility to find any survivors now" given that the quake struck the Himalayan nation on April 25.

Singh said the teams of the force "tried their best to help as many victims as it can" and that they "left no stone unturned to give medical aid and other assistance" to Nepalese people and citizens from other countries.

"The rest of the teams will be either airlifted or will take the road route to reach India in the next few days," he said.

The government had pressed a total of 16 NDRF teams, with 45 members in each, to undertake humanitarian aid, relief and rescue operations.

The specially-trained force rescued 11 persons, retrieved 132 bodies and provided medical aid to 1,157 injured and sick victims.

PTI