PM Modi offers assistance to quake-hit Afghanistan, Pakistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday offered assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan as a major earthquake struck the region.

The Prime Minister spoke to Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif and expressed his sympathies and condolences on the loss of lives.

"Spoke to PM Nawaz Sharif and expressed condolences on the loss of lives due to the quake. Offered all possible assistance from India," the Prime Minister tweeted.

"Expressed my gratitude to PM Nawaz Sharif for his efforts that ensured Geeta returned home," the Prime Minister posted.

He said President Ghani shared with him initial assessment of the damage, including the loss of lives of students after a school building collapsed.

"I just spoke to President @ashrafghani and expressed my sympathies & condolences at the damage caused by the earthquake... President @AshrafGhani shared with me his initial assessment of the damage... I offered all possible assistance. President @ashrafghani told me due to the quake a school building collapsed & children lost their lives... I was very pained to hear of this," the Prime Minister said in a series of tweet.

"When President @ashrafghani was telling me about the school, my mind went back to a similar tragedy in Anjar, Kutch in 2001. Felt very sad," he posted.

Prime Minister also spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in view of earthquake and took stock of the situation. "Returned from Bihar. Spoke to J&K CM Shri Mufti Mohammad Sayeed & took stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate earthquake.