ISPR has released damage assessment of the earthquake based on aerial and initial physical survey.

According to the assessment, twenty-two people, including an army soldier, lost lives in tremors while 160 people were injured as per civil administration record.

Three communication bridges near Jatlan were damaged. The Jatlan-Mangla was damaged at multiple locations, rendering it unusable.

In addition, medium to minor damages to weak structures in Mirpur, Jatlan and Jarikas have been reported while Mangla Dam is safe.

Army teams are busy in rescue and relief efforts in coordination with other stakeholders. Army Engineering teams are repairing Jatlan-Mangla Road and bridges at Jatlan.

Doctors and paramedics are providing necessary medical care and CMH Mangla and Jhelum have been made available for all casualties.

Rescue effort will continue till completion.

Meanwhile, the building of Broadcasting House Mirpur has also damaged badly.

However, our team is putting the transmission on the air from the lawn of the building to provide latest information to its audiences.

The epicenter of the quake was near Jhelum.

President expresses deep grief and sorrow over loss of lives

President, Dr. Arif Alvi has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives and property due to earthquake in Azad Kashmir, Islamabad and other parts of the country.

He prayed for the departed souls and early recovery of the injured.

The President also expressed solidarity with the affected families.

PM directs to start rescue and relief activities in quake-hit areas

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed all the concerned departments to provide immediate assistance of all kinds to carry out relief activities in the quake-hit areas.

In a statement, the Prime Minister also expressed concerns over losses as a result of the earthquake.

Army troops dispatched to affected sites

Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa has directed immediate rescue operation in aid of civil administration for victims of earthquake in Azad Kashmir.

According to a tweet by Director General ISPR, Major General Asif Ghafoor, Army troops with aviation and medical support teams have been dispatched to the affected sites.

Pakistan Army aviation helicopters complete aerial reconnaissance for damage assessment 

Pakistan Army aviation helicopters have completed aerial reconnaissance for damage assessment in Mirpur, Jarikas and Jatlan areas.

According to ISPR, Army troops have reached earthquake-hit areas of Mirpur, Jatlan and Jarikas, whereas relief and rescue efforts are underway.

AJK President, PM express deep grief and sorrow

The AJK President, Sardar Masood Khan and Prime Minister, Raja Farooq Haider Khan have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the severe earthquake which caused causalities and heavy loss to infrastructure and public properties in Azad Kashmir.

Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider has cut short his Lahore visit and departed for Mirpur district to supervise rescue and relief efforts in the region.

Raja Farooq Haider directed all concerned departments including the AJK Disaster Management Authority and other concerned departments to accelerate their efforts and effectively manage the emergency situation.

Emergency declared in all hospitals of Jhelum

On the directives of Chief Minister Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar, emergency has been declared in all hospitals of Jhelum in the back drop of intense earthquake.

The Chief Minister directed Deputy Commissioner Jhelum to immediately reach the quake-hit area of Azad Kashmir with relief goods including medicines and ambulances.

Rescue operation started in quake-affected areas

Chairman National Disaster Management Authority, Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal says that all departments, including NDMA, Pakistan Army, and State Disaster Management, have started rescue operation in the quake-affected areas.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, he thanked God that the quake has not affected Mangla Dam in anyway.

He said turbine operation of Mangla Dam has been suspended due to technical reasons.

The Chairman NDMA said Mangla to Jatalan road has been damaged in the quake, while three bridges also suffered.

 He said 200 tents, 800 blankets, and 100 medical kits are being dispatched to the affected areas.

He said Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Punjab has provided 20 ambulances and six rescue vehicles.

(Akram/Iqbal/Ali/Haider/Mubashir/Zafar/Kiani/Zunera/Karrar/Abdul Rehman)