PM offers aid to landslide-hit Afghanistan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today offered rescue and relief assistance to Afghanistan where 350 people have died and hundreds are missing after a landslide in northern parts of the country yesterday.

"I am deeply shocked and saddened by the devastating natural disaster that has struck Badakhshan province in Afghanistan. The people of India stand with their Afghan friends in grieving for those who have perished or are missing," Singh said in a statement here.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this hour of pain and sorrow," he added.

Expressing confidence that Afghan people will face up to this tragedy with "their unmatched courage and fortitude", Singh said "India stands ready to provide whatever assistance and support that we can for rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts to help the victims of this enormous disaster."

A landslide hit northern Afghanistan yesterday killing at least 350 people and hundreds of people have gone missing as several villages were buried.