A powerful earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border around 11:47 AM on Saturday, sending tremors across northern India and parts of Pakistan. According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the quake originated at a depth of 94 kilometers, causing noticeable shaking in cities like Jammu, Srinagar, Punjab, Delhi-NCR, and Islamabad. The seismic activity, though moderate in magnitude, prompted widespread concern among residents, with many taking to social media to share their experiences.

In Pakistan, tremors were reported in multiple cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Abbottabad. The shockwaves extended into Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, but thankfully, no casualties or significant damages have been reported so far. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre confirmed the epicentre’s proximity to the Hindu Kush region — an area known for frequent seismic activity due to its tectonic plate boundaries.

Afghanistan, sitting atop multiple active fault lines, remains particularly vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes and landslides. With the region already struggling from decades of conflict and economic instability, such disasters further strain the limited infrastructure and emergency response systems. Experts have highlighted the need for improved disaster preparedness across South and Central Asia, especially in seismically active zones.