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Bhuj air force base takes off on broken wings: PTI

Despite the heavy damage caused to the Indian Air Force base in Bhuj in Friday's devastating earthquake, it was operating skeletal services of smaller aircraft to carry relief and rescue materials.

"It is with great difficulty that we are managing the landing and take-off of aircraft, as most of our instruments are badly damaged due to the earthquake," an airport official, on condition of anonymity, told the PTI.

Half the airport building, which is also the air force's base, had collapsed following the earthquake, which had its epicentre around 20 km from Bhuj.

However, with cracks appearing on the airstrip after the quake, the bigger aircraft are unable to take-off or land at the strategic airport in Kutch district which shares the international border with Pakistan, the official said.

He said the residential complex of IAF personnel have been razed to the ground, causing a number of deaths, but he declined to give out any figures of casualty. There are reports that about 150 IAF personnel and their families have died after the complex was flattened.

Smaller IAF aircraft and choppers were operating from the airport to provide succour for this township, which bore the brunt of the quake.

"But we are sure we will restore normalcy at the airport within the next 2-3 days," the official added.

PTI

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The RD Killer Quake of Jan 26, 2001: Technical details
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Earthquake News: Web site offering comprehensive news, information and features
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USGS: Earthquake Hazards Program

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