Moderate earthquake jolts Pakistan

Islamabad, Jan 23: A moderate earthquake today jolted several districts in northwest Pakistan, but no loss of life or property was reported.

The quake's epicentre was 13-km west of Ashkasham area in Afghanistan and it occurred at the depth of 90.7 kilometers, the US Geographical Survey (USGS) said.

Pakistan Meterological Department recorded its intensity at 5 at the depth of 80 kilometers with the epicenter near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border.

An official of National Disaster Management Authority said that so far no loss of life was reported from anywhere. The area which felt the tremor included tribal regions along Afghan border and districts of Chitral, Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Buner and Malakand.

Private TV news channels reported that people rushed out of their homes and buildings in panic. A quake measuring 5 on Richter Scale hit the region on January 8.

More than 300 people were killed in Pakistan and Afghanistan in 7.5-magnitude quake last year.

PTI