ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: Japan on Monday became the fourth foreign country to operate helicopters in Pakistan’s desperate relief effort after its earthquake, with two choppers heading out with medical supplies for survivors.

The two helicopters, carrying a handful of Japanese troops, left Chaklala air base near Islamabad at around 3:15pm bound for Batagram in NWFP, a Japanese embassy official said.

A third helicopter, which arrived with the other two over the weekend, is likely to join the relief effort on Tuesday, he said.

Japan, whose military is prohibited from combat under its pacifist constitution, has also offered 20 million dollars in aid to Pakistan.—AFP

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