GILGIT, Nov 4: The tremors that have been shaking the Tatupani and its adjoining areas in Diamer district since Saturday, has killed a shepherd Ahmed son of Gula Khan resident of Astore, increasing death toll to eleven, police said. However, APP has put the death toll to 17 with 1600 families rendered homeless as the valley was again jolted on Monday morning.

Eye witnesses say the tremors have been recurring almost every hour.

On Monday the last jolt had an intensity of 5.12 which lasted for 37 seconds, causing more landsliding at various points along the KKH and the rescue operations had to be suspended, local Met office said.

At least 65 persons are reported injured in Tatta Pani, Raikot district who have been admitted to District Headquarter Hospital, Chilas.

The blockade of Karakoram Highway could not be cleared due to heavy landfalls and people are using army helicopters for transportation of injured. The sources said people also use oxen skins (jalo) at the Indus river for transportation of stranded passengers.

On Monday, the Northern Areas Force Commander, Maj Gen Nadeem Ahmed and Northern Areas Home Secretary, Arbab Shah Rukh Khan visited the quake-affected areas and monitored the rescue operations. The FCNA and army troops have been providing helicopters for evacuating stranded villagers and quake victims to Gonar Farm, 140km south of Gilgit.

On Monday, the army medical teams also distributed medicines, tents, eatables, blankets and copter transport to the affected people in the quake-hit areas of Muthat, Tatupani (Raikot).

The sources said that over 640 people mainly women and children have been shifted so far and rescue operations were continuing.