A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad and parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on April 3, 2026, at 9:13 PM local time. The tremors were felt in various districts including Peshawar, Chitral, Swat, and Shangla, but no significant damage or casualties have been reported in these areas.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 190 kilometers, with its epicenter located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. The Pakistan Meteorological Department initially measured the quake at a magnitude of 6.2, which was later adjusted to 6.1.
In Afghanistan, at least six people were killed due to a house collapse caused by a separate 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the region earlier. Tremors from this quake were also felt in Kabul and even reached Indian-administered Kashmir, indicating the widespread impact of seismic activity in the region.
Bilal Ahmed Faizi, a spokesperson for Rescue 1122, stated, “Earthquake tremors were felt in various districts of K-P, including Peshawar, however, Rescue 1122 control has not received any calls from the public yet.” This suggests that while the quake was significant, it did not lead to immediate emergencies in Pakistan.
In response to the earthquake, the provincial control room and district emergency operation centers across Punjab remain operational 24/7 to address any potential incidents. The Inspector General of Police, Ali Nasir Rizvi, has ordered all officers to submit situation reports from their jurisdictions without delay.
The authority has also advised the public to report any earthquake-related damages through its helpline at 1129. Strong tremors were reported not only in Pakistan but also in Afghanistan’s Kabul and India’s capital New Delhi, according to witnesses.
Pakistan’s susceptibility to earthquakes stems from its location along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it prone to seismic events. As the situation develops, authorities continue to monitor the impact and any aftershocks that may occur.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of damages in Afghanistan, where the earlier earthquake caused fatalities. The focus remains on ensuring public safety and readiness for any further seismic activity.