5.3-magnitude earthquake jolts parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

National Seismic Monitoring Centre says epicentre of moderate quake was Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region

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A representational image of a Richter scale measuring earthquake. — AFP/File
A representational image of a Richter scale measuring earthquake. — AFP/File
  • Tremors felt in Peshawar, Swat, Malakand, Swabi, Mansehra.
  • Epicenter located in Hindu Kush region: seismic centre.
  • No reports yet of casualties or damage said parts of KP.

Tremors from a moderate earthquake were felt in several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, according to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre.

The quake, measuring 5.3 magnitude, was recorded in Peshawar, Swat, Malakand, Swabi, and Mansehra, along with adjoining areas. It also hit Gahkuch city of Gilgit Baltistan's Ghizer district.

The seismic centre said the epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

These earthquakes are part of a series of tremors to hit northern Pakistan in recent months, most of them linked to the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Islamabad, Rawalpindi and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Peshawar.

Pakistan sits on a major fault line between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which makes earthquakes common, especially in the north.

Karachi, meanwhile, has seen unusual activity this year, with over 30 mild tremors reported in June. Experts link this to movement along the long-dormant Landhi Fault Line.