BANDA ACEH, Jan 9: Pakistan Army's task force has started relief operation here at a camp set up near a mosque in Lampeneurut area. The army's medical corps established a relief center in the camp where more than 1,500 displaced people had taken shelter.

During a single day, army doctors provided medicines to more than 400 patients, most of them were suffering from abdominal diseases while a number of patients had minor injuries. The people in the camp welcomed Pakistan Army doctors as it was the first proper medical camp set up in the refugee camp by any country.

The army task force was sent on the directives of President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and part of Pakistan's help to Indonesia after the tsunami disaster.

Pakistan's first batch of Task Force comprising medical team, engineering corps, medicines and other basic relief foods reached here last Tuesday. The task force's stay can be extended keeping in view requirements of the people and area.

Maj Murad Khan of the of Pakistan Army Task Force said that the medical team will set up a hospital in a coastal area to provide medical treatment while engineers of the Task Force would help in the repair of infrastructure and communication network after the arrival of the heavy equipment which is being carried by two ships of Pakistan Navy. -APP