91 helicopters engaged in Pak quake relief

The Pakistan Army on Tuesday said that 91 helicopters are currently engaged in relief operations in quake-affected areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and North West Frontier Province.

Of the 91, 41 belong to Pakistan, 22 to other countries and 18 are from NGOs and independent organisations, an army statement said.

The Pakistan helicopters include 16 MI-17s, three Pumas, ten Bell 412s, two Y-12s, two Sea Kings (Navy), eight Alouttue, while 22 helicopters from allied countries include twelve from the US, two from Germany, two from Saudi Arabia and four of Afghanistan.

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18 other helicopters hail from ICRC, three from Japan, two Latvia, two UN, one Jet Ranger of Edhi, four AB139s of Agha Khan, two Kamoves of France and one Bell 212 of UAE.

Over the past 16 days, the helicopters have recorded a flight time of 2715 hrs, evacuating 13,651 quake victims in the process.

Over 2200 tons of relief items have been shifted to the quake-affected areas, the statement said.