KATHMANDU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has deployed more than 100,000 security personnel in rescue operation following the major earthquake on Saturday, a government spokesperson said here on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, Minister for Information and Communications Minendra Rijal said that a total of 113,500 security personnel have been mobilized for rescue operation so far.

"Over 65,00 Nepal Army, 315,00 Nepal police and another 17,000 security personnel from the Armed Police Force have been mobilized in the earthquake-hit districts for rescue operation which is underway and will continue for the next few days," the minister said.

With the death toll in the Himalayan nation keep rising, the government has expedited the rescue efforts with the support of neighboring China and India as well as other 11 countries such as the United States, France, United Kingdom and Japan.

The 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday which has claimed more than 5,000 lives as yet. The death toll could rise further as rescue efforts continue in the country.