Powerful earthquake jolts Afghanistan, Pakistan, India

By Aamir Latif and Ahmad Adil

KARACHI, Pakistan/NEW DELHI (AA)​​​​​​​ – A powerful earthquake jolted parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and India on Tuesday evening.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the magnitude 6.5 tremor was in Afghanistan’s Jurm region.

The National Seismic Monitoring Center in Pakistan initially gave a reading of 7.7, which the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) revised down to 6.8.

The PMD said the quake was centered in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan’s bordering areas.

Tremors were felt in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Quetta, Sargodha, Mianwali, Peshawar, Kohat, Swat, Chitral, Dir, Shangla, and other districts of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, according to local media reports.

The quake was also felt in Mirpur, Kotli, and other districts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

It also shook parts of Indian-administered Kashmir and was felt in India’s northern parts, including the capital New Delhi.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in any country.

In Pakistan, footage aired on local broadcaster Geo News showed people rushing out of buildings and heading for open spaces.

Another video showed a host and guests leaving a TV show’s set as fans, chairs, and lights swayed.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​