Overview
- The Pakistan Meteorological Department said the epicentre was in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush at roughly 234 km depth, with tremors felt across Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Chitral, Swat and parts of AJK.
- The quake struck around 11:15 pm local time on Oct 21 and sent residents into the streets, but officials reported no immediate casualties or major damage.
- Seismic agencies documented a short cluster over Oct 20–21, including a shallow M4.7 in Pakistan at 10 km depth on Oct 20 and M4.6, M3.8 (Pakistan) plus M4.3 (Afghanistan) on Oct 21.
- Some outlets cited initial readings of a stronger M6.1 event in the Hindu Kush felt in Kashmir, reported as early estimates alongside the PMD’s confirmed M5.3.
- Experts noted deep-focus quakes are often widely felt but less damaging at the surface, whereas shallow events carry higher local risk, and officials urged vigilance for aftershocks.