A team of foreign diplomats posted in Pakistan were taken to Neelum Valley in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to witness firsthand whether the Indian army had “smashed four terror launch pads” there early Sunday, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a tweet. The diplomats have been taken to the Nauseri, Shahkot and Jura sectors near Line of Control (LoC).
The earthquake affected area of Mirpur experienced another aftershock, as unexpected rainfall put relief work to a halt. Pakistan’s top meteorologist, Mohammad Riaz, said the epicentre of the 4.4-magnitude tremor was 12 kilometres deep. The shallow tremor sent terrified people running into the streets as area residents huddled in the streets following the quake, some still barefoot, while others recited verses from the Holy Quran.
At least 37 people are now confirmed dead in the devastating earthquake that rocked Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) Mirpur a day earlier as aftershocks continue in the region. The 5.6-magnitude earthquake – which also shook several cities of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) – injured 459 people of which the condition of 160 is reportedly critical, confirmed Mirpur’s district administration. Pakistan Army has started relief work in the area.