A moderate earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale struck parts of Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and nearby regions on Tuesday night, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) reported that the earthquake’s epicentre was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan at a depth of 234 kilometres, which is why the tremors were widely felt but caused no major damage.

Residents reported mild to moderate tremors in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Upper Dir, Malakand, Bajaur, Chitral, Swat, Murree, Bhimber, Samahni, and surrounding areas. People rushed out of their homes in fear as buildings swayed for several seconds. Fortunately, no casualties or property damage have been reported so far.

This quake comes just four days after a 5.6 magnitude earthquake shook Islamabad and parts of KP, raising public concern over increasing seismic activity in the region.

A Seismically Active Region

Pakistan and Afghanistan lie near the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making the region highly prone to earthquakes. In September, Afghanistan experienced a devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake that claimed more than 2,200 lives and injured thousands.

Earlier this year, Karachi also recorded nearly 57 tremors in June, caused by the reactivation of the Landhi Fault Line, according to Chief Meteorologist Aamir Haider, who added that the area is now undergoing a “normalisation phase”.

Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely and urge citizens to remain alert, especially in regions located near fault lines.