MUZAFFARABAD Oct 18: The director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Shaukat Sultan said on Tuesday that six battalions of army engineers were engaged in relief and rescue operations in parts of NWFP and Azad Kashmir.

Maj Gen Sultan told media persons on Tuesday that the engineer battalions had been dispatched almost immediately to areas badly hit by the Oct 8 quake.

He said work on restoration of road links between different cities was undertaken on a priority basis so that the relief operation could be initiated.

He said the jawans and officers of Field Works Organisation (FWO) had also been assisting the army engineers.

Repair work on the road network is continuing in the interior and far-flung parts of the quake-hit areas, he said, adding that heavy construction machinery was being used for the purpose.

Meanwhile, relief and rescue activities are being undertaken through helicopters in those areas which had been cut off in the wake of quake-triggered landslides.

At present, he said, priority is being given to providing shelter to the quake victims. Already around 30,000 tents have been provided to them.

He said the government had placed supply orders of around 100,000 tents to international firms to meet housing needs of the people.

He said 100% access had been ensured in the rugged terrain of Jhelum valley through air as well as soldiers on foot, while 95% area of Neelum valley had also been accessed by the Pakistan Army through helicopters and other means.—APP