Residents panic as mild quake hits Pakistan's northern region
Epicentre of 5.5 temblor was in Hindukush
Islamabad: In Pakistan, tremors were felt in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan region, causing some panic, reported Xinhua, citing Geo News.
The China Earthquake Networks Centre, however, pegged the quake at 5.5 on the Richter Scale, and said it occurred at a depth of 200 km and 36.5 degrees north latitude and 71.1 degrees east longitude.
The quake jolted Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Charsadda, Shangla, Hazara, Nohshera, Abbottabad, Haripur, Chakwal, Swat, Bajaur Agency, Lower Dir and Malakand, among other areas.
A temblor measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was also felt in the border areas of Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
The quake also jolted various parts of Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Kashmir. There were no immediate reports of any casualties.
The meteorological office in Srinagar said it measured 6 on the Richter scale.
The quake jolted the Kashmir Valley even as the people were busy with Eid celebrations. No loss of life or property was reported.
"A moderate intensity quake hit the Valley at 5.29pm this evening. The quake measured 6.0 on the Richter scale with coordinates 36.6 degrees north and 71.1 degrees east.
‘Swinging'
"The epicentre of the quake was in the Hindukush mountains of Afghanistan," Sonam Lotus, director of the local weather office, told IANS.
"I noticed the ceiling fan swinging and this alerted me. I ran out with children into the lawn," said Bashir Ahmad, 59, who lives in north Kashmir's Ganderbal town.
People in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley were busy with Eid celebrations and animal sacrifices when the tremor occurred.
A major quake occurred in Kashmir in 2005 in which 40,000 people were killed in both Indian and Pakistan administered parts of the state.
