As in all calamities, the Indian Army quickly swung into action the moment it received a distress call from Gujarat after the earthquake in January. Thirteen Engineer Regiment had already proved its skill in rescue works in cyclone-hit Orissa and the flood-affected Ajmer. At the time of earthquake, this regiment was deployed in a desert area doing routine exercises. Keeping in view the previous experience of this regiment, it was immediately flown to Adhoi which was one of the worst hit areas in Bhuj.

Situated at 300 km off Ahmedabad, Adhoi was inhabited by rich traders and farmers. This hamlet had prospered a lot during the last ten years. At the time of earthquake, this little hamlet was busy celebrating Republic Day like the rest of country. The school girls were marching towards Panchayat Bhavan where the Tricolour was to be unfurled. As the killer earthquake struck, twentyfive girls and the devotees of a three storeyed temple were crushed to death instantly. Around a radius of 4 km at least 750 people were feared dead under the debris.

The regiment launched a five-point programme to rescue people from the debris, to bring out dead bodies and hand over to the families, to restore civic amenities like water, electricity, communication, police station, bank, and panchayat, to clear roads and alleys to provide relief to villages in remote area, to revive government machinery and to provide shelter to the people. The action yielded quick results as a telephone exchange was stabilised for an immediate communication and Dena Bank at Adhoi was restarted. The money and documents were recovered and deposited in the government treasury at Bhuj. A ten megawatt power sub-station was established by Gujarat Electricity Board. Twelve rifles and 550 cartridges were recovered from the debris of police station and roads and alleys were cleared.

Residential, official, business and commercial places were cleared and provided security while twentyfive remote villages of Bachchau taluk were sent relief. Twentyeight bodies were handed over to the families for cremation whereas carcasses of animals were cremated to prevent epidemic. On the other hand, irrigation machinery was restored.

Thirteen Engineer provided help to Gujarat government for construction of water tanks. It also provided mobile medical relief to the locals and took measures to check epidemic.

On a warfooting, 60 heavy machines and 400 jawans were pressed into service round-the-clock. The officers, JCOs and jawans worked untiringly without caring for themselves. The residents of Adhoi were touched by the humane hands of the 13 Engineer Regiment.