(Written by: Abdul Basit Alvi)
Due to my professional commitments, I was assigned to a sensitive location in Punjab. Our mobility was limited because of the nature of the project, requiring proper authorization to leave the site. Alongside me was another engineer, and our task was to carry out repairs and maintenance on a piece of machinery.
We arrived at our destination late at night on October 7, 2005, and received a warm welcome. A lavish and delicious dinner was served before we retired to our assigned sleeping quarters. The following day, October 8, 2005, began like any other, with bright sunshine and an unsettling silence in the air.
We woke up early, had breakfast, and then headed to the location of the faulty machine. At 8:30 am, we conducted a preliminary inspection, reviewing the machine’s manual and diagnostic procedures. Several trucks were parked nearby. While my colleague and I spoke with the machine’s operators, the clock struck 8:52 am, and suddenly the ground began to shake violently. Intense seismic tremors rocked the area, causing the parked trucks to sway. Our immediate instinct was to sit down and recite the Kalma. The violent shaking lasted about 60 seconds before gradually easing.
Once things calmed down, my first thought naturally turned to my family—a common reaction in such crises. My parents, siblings, wife, and our newborn daughter (just four days old at the time, affectionately dubbed the ‘earthquake baby’) were in Islamabad, while the rest of my family lived in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), including Muzaffarabad. I couldn’t help but think that if the earthquake was this intense where we were, it must have been even worse in the hilly areas nearby. I felt overwhelmed with distress and worry. My colleague and I rushed to the office of the controlling authority.
The chief was remarkably supportive. Mobile phones were not as common back then, and the powerful tremors had severely disrupted communication lines. He informed me that, according to reports, Muzaffarabad and Islamabad had experienced extensive damage. His words hit me like an atomic bomb, and I couldn’t hold back my tears. I was unable to reach my family in either Islamabad or Muzaffarabad, as phones in those areas were down.
The chief kindly issued us a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to facilitate our departure. While we had our company’s mobile phone, it lacked signal during our journey on the link road to the motorway. As soon as I finally got a signal, I called my family in Islamabad. They assured me they were safe but mentioned they couldn’t reach other family members in Muzaffarabad.
They also relayed that the Margalla Towers in Islamabad had collapsed and that Muzaffarabad had been severely affected. I returned to Islamabad, and later that evening, I learned more about the situation in Muzaffarabad, Balakot, and other impacted areas, which was far from hopeful. My family experienced injuries and property damage, but thankfully, we didn’t lose any lives. Still, as a compassionate person, I mourned for those who did.
Reports on casualties and losses later revealed even grimmer statistics. The earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck various regions of AJK and KPK, with the official death toll reaching 87,350 in November 2005, though estimates suggested it could exceed 100,000. About 38,000 people were injured, and over 3.5 million were rendered homeless, including 19,000 children who tragically died in collapsing school buildings. The disaster profoundly affected more than 500,000 families, resulted in the loss of around 250,000 farm animals, and left over 500,000 large animals in desperate need of shelter from the winter.
Additionally, over 780,000 buildings were either destroyed or severely damaged. Many structures remained unusable for extended periods, including around 17,000 school buildings and most major hospitals near the epicenter, which were either destroyed or heavily damaged. Critical infrastructure, particularly key roads and highways, suffered severe impacts, with landslides and bridge failures leading to closures. Some areas were cut off by land routes for up to three months after the earthquake.
Power, water supply, and telecommunication services experienced varying disruptions, although most were restored within a few weeks. The earthquake triggered extensive landslides, especially in the midslope areas along the fault line, creating a dense band of landslides that quickly diminished with distance from the rupture zone. Nearly all were shallow, disaggregated slides, with two exceeding 0.1 square kilometers in size. Subsequent reports indicated that the losses were far greater than initially assessed.
The first agency to respond was the Pakistan Army, which quickly launched urgent rescue and relief operations. Their helicopters made continuous flights in affected areas to evacuate and transport the injured to hospitals. They played a crucial role in various aspects of rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and infrastructure restoration, also facilitating access for United Nations and other relief agencies. In such critical moments, the army’s involvement was remarkable.
In the months and years after the earthquake, the Pakistan Army continued its rehabilitation efforts, engaging with local communities to identify needs and align recovery initiatives with their aspirations. This collaboration built trust and was crucial for effective recovery. Their involvement extended to long-term reconstruction, including the construction of new schools, hospitals, and homes, with a focus on earthquake-resistant structures to bolster community resilience against future seismic events. This dedication to rebuilding both physical infrastructure and community spirit significantly contributed to the overall recovery process.
The Pakistan Army has long been a pillar of national resilience, offering vital support during natural disasters that frequently affect the country. Their remarkable efforts during various crises, such as devastating earthquakes and catastrophic floods, have saved countless lives and facilitated recovery. During the 2010 floods, which impacted millions, particularly in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the army launched extensive rescue operations using helicopters and boats to evacuate stranded families and reached remote communities cut off by rising waters. They coordinated the distribution of food, clean water, and essential supplies, established relief camps, and set up mobile medical units to treat health emergencies.
On October 26, 2015, a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan, causing significant damage, especially near the border. The Pakistan Army quickly deployed rescue teams, collaborating with civil authorities and NGOs to assist victims and assess damaged infrastructure for public safety.
The unprecedented floods of 2022, resulting from heavy monsoon rains, caused widespread devastation, prompting the army to launch extensive operations to rescue stranded individuals and establish relief camps, providing crucial food, water, and medical assistance to displaced families. The army collaborated closely with various humanitarian organizations to enhance the effectiveness of their efforts. In the aftermath, they committed to rebuilding homes and infrastructure with a focus on flood-resistant designs to reduce future risks.
The role of the Pakistan Army during disasters is noteworthy, with the 2005 earthquake serving as a prime example of their dedication. They provided a powerful response to those questioning the army’s purpose, demonstrating their commitment even as thousands of personnel lost their lives in the disaster. The army was at the forefront of rescue operations, prioritizing civilian safety while mourning their own losses, showing no distinction between military and civilian during these efforts. The nation recognizes and takes pride in the army’s extraordinary contributions during the 2005 earthquake, knowing they stand firm in times of crisis and disaster.
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