Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) A 5.3 magnitude earthquake rocked parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region in northern Pakistan, including the provincial capital of Peshawar on Saturday, triggering panic among residents, according to media reports.

The earthquake struck around 6.15 pm along the Afghan-Tajikistan border, with tremors being felt in Swat, Peshawar, Lower Dir, Swabi, Nowshera, Chitral, Mardan, Bajaur, Malakand, Pabbi, Akora, capital city of Islamabad and its surroundings, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said.

Also Read | Australia To Rename Aspen Island To Honor Queen Elizabeth II on Platinum Jubilee, Says PM Scott Morrison.

Gripped by fear and panic, scores of residents scampered out of their homes to seek refuge in safer places, the Dawn newspaper reported.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, there has been no reports of loss of lives or property so far.

Also Read | Omicron Less Severe as it Mostly Avoids Attacking Lungs, Says Report.

On December 8, parts of Karachi were jolted by a 4.1 magnitude earthquake.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)