5.4-Magnitude Quake Shakes Pakistan, Sparks Panic but No Casualties

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake rattled parts of Pakistan, inducing widespread panic among residents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad, according to ARY News. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) confirmed that the tremor occurred at 2:04 AM PST, originating 102km below the Hindukush Mountain region in Afghanistan.

Residents in various areas of Afghanistan and Tajikistan experienced tremors, the NSMC reported. In Pakistan, numerous districts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar and Swat, were affected, as mentioned by ARY News. The quake also impacted the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and several parts of Punjab, inducing panic.

Although widespread panic led to people evacuating their homes and reciting prayers, ARY News stated there were no reported casualties or damage. Pakistan's location on the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates makes it highly susceptible to seismic events, notably in regions near major fault lines like the Main Central Thrust.

(With inputs from agencies.)