INDIA SENDS AID TO AFGHAN QUAKE VICTIMS VIA TAJIKISTAN (AFP, FEB 12)

DUSHANBE, Feb 12 (AFP) - The Indian government sent 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Tajikistan Wednesday to be delivered to victims of the earthquake in neighbouring northern Afghanistan, an airline official said. The head of Tajikistan's state airline, Mirzo Mastanulov, said Thursday that Iran, Pakistan and Russia were expected to follow suit in the next few days. Mastanulov said he had Antonov transports and helicopters available to fly in the aid to the earthquake area. The February 4 earthquake left some 4,575 people dead, and 4,300 homeless, according to aid agencies.