8 March 2006
Mission accomplished in Operation Pakistan Assist

A severe earthquake hit South Asia on 8 October 2005, devastating remote communities in northern Pakistan and on the Pakistan side of the Kashmir Line Of Control.

The Australian Government response to Pakistan Government requests for assistance included the deployment on 11 November 2005 of an Australian Defence Force (ADF) contingent of medical specialists. In cooperation with the Pakistan Army under Operation Pakistan Assist, the ADF contingent established a base at the remote town of Dhanni, on the Pakistan side of the Kashmir Line Of Control, to provide vital medical assistance to the people of the region.

Over the course of their humanitarian mission from November 2005 to early March 2006, ADF personnel serving in Operation Pakistan Assist treated 9540 patients and gave 4063 immunisations. They conducted an immunisation program for children of the Dhanni region which will have benefits for years into the future.

20060308adf8161479_012 Members of the Australian Defence Force medical contingent prepare for departure from Pakistan as their packs are loaded onto a local 'jingle' truck for transport to the airport. (Date taken: 8 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060308adf8161479_065 Members of the Australian Defence Force medical contingent under Operation Pakistan Assist walk out to board their aircraft for return to Australia. (Date taken: 8 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060308adf8161479_072 Members of the Australian Defence Force medical contingent under Operation Pakistan Assist board their aircraft for return to Australia. (Date taken: 8 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res