KABUL, Oct 10: Afghanistan lowered its flags to half mast on Monday in sympathy with Pakistan as it rushed helicopters, doctors and tons of medicines and food to the country.

The flag would be flown at half mast for three days in mourning for the thousands of people killed in Saturday’s earthquake, presidential spokesman Karim Rahimi told reporters.

Four helicopters from Afghanistan’s air force and a plane headed across the border with four tons of medicines and teams of doctors and nurses, Mr Rahimi said.

The country had also pledged $500,000 to the relief effort, he said.

The helicopters were scheduled to stay in Pakistan for 10 days although their deployment could be extended, defence ministry spokesman Gen Mohammad Zahir Azimi said.

The Afghan medical teams were likely to go to Bagh area in Azad Kashmir, which was hit particularly hard by the tremor, which also shook parts of Afghanistan, he said.

The earthquake killed three people in eastern Afghanistan and toppled a handful of mud-brick homes.

Afghanistan’s Red Crescent Society will also despatch rescue teams and about 20 tons of dried fruit, the presidential spokesman said.

“Pakistan helped us when we were in need,” Mr Rahimi said. “Today unfortunately the people of Pakistan are in need, we will do whatever we can do to help them.”—AFP