NATO to coordinate earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan

A mobile headquarters from NATO's elite response force has arrived to Pakistan to help coordinate earthquake relief efforts, officials said Tuesday. The tactical headquarters arrived late Monday in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad led by U.S. Vice Adm. John Stufflebeem, commander of the NATO Response Force.

It was expected to be followed later this week by the first of up to 1,000 troops NATO is sending to help with the relief operation, including engineers, medics and support units for handling planes, helicopters and water purification plants, the AP reports.

NATO decided Friday to deploy troops to step up its assistance to the quake-hit region of Kashmir.

Meanwhile, in an update on its airlift of supplies from Europe to Pakistan, NATO said it had so far transported more than 350 tons of goods to Islamabad from a base in Turkey that is serving as a hub for the alliance's operation.

Eight more flights were leaving Tuesday to Pakistan.

T.E.