The Prime Minister has expressed shock at the loss of lives and devastation caused by an earthquake in Jammu and Kashmir this morning. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh extends his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the bereaved and the injured.

The Prime Minster has assured all possible Central support and assistance in the relief and rehabilitation effort. The armed forces and the paramilitary forces are already assisting in providing relief to those affected in the disaster in close coordination with the State Government.

An exgratia of one lakh rupees to the next kin of each of those killed in the earthquake is being released from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.