Over 5,000 troops, 9 choppers dispatched to quake-hit areas

New Delhi, Sep 19 (PTI) Over 5,000 troops and nine
helicopters have been dispatched by the Indian Army to carry
out rescue and relief operations in quake-hit north-eastern
state of Sikkim, official said on Monday.
"Around 5,000 troops in 105 columns and four ALH Dhruv
and five Cheetah helicopters have been deployed in the relief
operations by the army in the state," army officials said
here.
The troops include elements from both the infantry and
engineers, who are involved in deploying heavy equipment and
clearing road blocks at several places in the state, they
said.
Officials said that two jawans were killed in north
Sikkim in the quake while the three missing vehicles last
night have been located and all the troops in them are safe.
They said that army formations in the state have been
engaged in providing food and shelter to people in affected
areas. At least 2,000 people have been provided help by the
army, they said.
The earthquake, which measured 6.8 on the Richter Scale,
has also caused substantial damage to certain military
buildings in the area.
The IAF, on its part, has already deployed five aircraft
-- two C-130Js, two AN-32s and one Avro -- for relief
operations.