Jaishankar, Doval call on Nepal PM; take stock of NDRF relief operations

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday called on Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala during their visit to the quake-hit Himalayan nation.

During their visit, the duo also reviewed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescue and relief operations in the areas affected by the earthquake.

"We have taken an account of how the Nepalese government and the Nepalese Army are working and how the NDRF is assisting them with total dedication and a total sense of commitment and they have done very good work," Doval said.

"Wherever they have been deployed, they have been able to rescue a lot of people and they have recovered some dead bodies as well. They are working very hard in difficult conditions and we are very, very proud of them," he added.

Doval also said that they took an aerial survey of the Gorkha district and met locals who were appreciative of the work done by the Indian and Nepal armies.

"The people were extremely satisfied and happy with their contribution and fortunately they have been able to rescue a large number of people," he added.

Sixteen teams of NDRF have been deployed in various areas of Nepal. The NDRF has rescued around 15 injured persons and retrieved 122 bodies. In addition to this, several injured and needy people have been given first aid in the medical camps set up by NDRF.

A large number of people in the affected districts are forced to live under open sky in tents set up by rescuers. A reported 38 aftershocks have been felt during last 24 hours in Nepal.

The death toll caused by the devastating earthquake and aftershocks in Nepal has reached 6,110.