ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude struck the federal capital, various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and upper parts of the country on Thursday, said National Seismic Monitoring Centre of Pakistan Meteorological Department.

The earthquake’s epicenter was the bordering area of Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), as per initial reports no loss of life or property in any part of the country was reported.

The official said NDMA authorities were in contact with all the districts of the province to ascertain about damage of property or any casualty.

According to the initial details, tremors of the quake that originated from Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region were felt in different areas of KP.

The tremors were observed in Swat, Malakand Division, Lower Dir, Mansehra, Hangu, Abbottabad, Ghizer, and Mardan. The earthquake had the depth of 187km.

Panic spread throughout the region and people came out of their residences and workplaces.

The jolts were also felt in various districts of Punjab and Sindh. The residents of Sargodha, Faisalabad and other districts too felt the tremors. On the other day an earthquake measuring 5.5 intensity also shocked several parts of KP province creating fear among the masses.