Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande on Tuesday praised the medical team of the force for its role during the recent relief operations in Turkiye in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit the southern parts of the country earlier this month.
He also highlighted the operationalization of a field hospital within an extremely short time frame in Turkiye before adding it showcased the force's operational readiness for emergencies.
"We are proud of our medical team for rendering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to quake-hit people in Turkiye," General Pande said in New Delhi on Tuesday.
His comments, hailing the services of the Indian Army's medical unit, came during an interaction with personnel who made their way back to the country after helping Turkiye authorities in the Iskenderun region, one of the worst quake-hit zones.
Operation Dost, or 'Friendship Operation'
India earned a lot of goodwill through its rescue mission, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi almost immediately after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkiye on February 6.
Since then, the death toll in the tragedy has risen to over 41,000 in Turkiye. The death and destruction occurred after the tremors flattened numerous apartment blocks, leading to thousands of people being buried under the rubble.
Last week, the Indian forces that were engaged in rescue and relief operations in Turkiye earned rich praise from Prime Minister Modi.
"You have done a great service to humanity and made India proud. We consider the world as one family and see it our duty to quickly help any member in crisis," Modi said after Indian personnel returned from Turkiye.