UN suspends aid flights in PoK

The UN has stopped aid flights to earthquake survivors in Pakistan-administered Kashmir after dozens of people there stormed two of its helicopters, according to news reports.

In two incidents, the people entered the helicopters and forced an airlift. On arriving in Muzaffarabad and Abbottabad, the survivors fled. No one has been arrested, the BBC reported.

Flights to Bana Mula and Leepa, both about 60 miles southwest of Muzaffarabad, capital of PoK, have been suspended, UN officials said. The organisation was evaluating the possibility of relocating villagers to lower-lying areas, the Associated Press reported. In the increasing cold, the people of the region have been seeking such an evacuation to nearby cities.

Larry Hollingworth, the UN deputy humanitarian coordinator there, told the BBC the flights had been suspended to ensure the crews' safety. It was unfortunate that the actions of a minority would deprive the majority of food, he said.

The earthquake on October 8 killed more than 70,000 people and displaced millions.

Heavy snowfall has already affected flights and made life difficult for survivors in the earthquake-hit regions. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more bad weather.

Pakistani authorities have said contingency relief camps stocked with food have been set up to deal with large-scale move of refugees to lower altitudes during the harsh winter.