Friday, October 14 2005 18:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan Army will continue the search for people trapped under the debris of buildings that collapsed in the devastating earthquake, even as a senior local politician said the death toll in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) alone could go upto 60,000.

Pakistan's Defence Spokesman Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan said search for those under the debris in affected parts, including PoK would continue.

"We cannot give up hope of finding more survivors. The search continues even though a week passed," he told Geo TV, responding to earlier reports quoting officials that the rescue operations have been called off.

President of the ruling Muslim Congress Ateeq Ahmedhe told Voice of America that the death toll may exceed 60,000 in PoK alone. More than 10,000 corpses are still buried under the rubble in the affected areas. Official death toll in PoK was put around 18000 so far with injuries to around 43000.

Ateeq, son of the former PoK President Sardar Qayyum Khan, also said the rescue and relief work is underway.

The winter is around the corner and rains are expected, he said, adding, this should also be kept in mind while carrying out the rescue and relief work.

There are still some inaccessible areas in the state, which, if not approached timely, may take the death toll further up, he said.

Asked which are these yet inaccessible areas, he said Muzaffarabad-Hattian, Hattian-Chitral and Shikar-Bagh routes were still not restored.

Pando and Leepa valley areas as well as several places in the Bagh district are also inaccessible, he said, adding, helicopter service also cannot cope with the situation despite ferrying round the clock.