“Our additional 100-men team of heavy engineers arrived in Islamabad on Friday evening along with latest equipment to participate in the rubble clearing operation in the Bagh district and its adjoining areas,” Major Eric Brueijn told DPA in Islamabad.

He said the alliance has to first transport the equipment to the forward areas in Kashmir, followed by departure of the engineers, who will not only clear the debris but will also help the local population build shelters in the areas, ravaged by the October 8 earthquake.

The new team of heavy engineers arrived hours after the military alliance confirmed its troops would leave Pakistan on completion of its 90-day stay in the country’s earthquake-hit regions.

“We will be leaving Pakistan by January 21 on completion of our 90-day stay,” a NATO spokesman in Pakistan Captain Robert Firman said Friday.