6.5-magnitude jolts Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) - - A moderate earthquake early Saturday shook Indian-controlled Kashmir and its adjoining areas,officials and locals said.

According to Indian Meteorological Department, the earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale occurred at 12:44 a.m. (local time).

"The epicentre of earthquake was in Hindukush region of Afghanistan located at 36.5 degrees north latitude and 71.2 degrees east longitude," the information released on website of Indian Meteorological Department said.

The earthquake was felt throughout Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The tremors triggered panic among residents in region's summer capital city, Srinagar and adjoining areas.

Locals said they rushed out of their houses in the freezing temperature as jolts shook everything.

"This was one terrible. Never felt something so strong and the worst part was freezing cold outside," Azhar Qadri a local resident in Srinagar said.

Officials were not available in the offices for the comment about loss of life or damage to structures owing to mid night hours in the region.

Reports said the tremors were also felt in New Delhi- the Indian capital city, neighbouring Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

Geologists say Indian-controlled Kashmir is located in a zone of high seismic activity.

Srinagar falls in Seismic Zone-V and other parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir in Seismic Zone IV.

A high intensity quake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale with its epicentre in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan- controlled Kashmir shook the region on October 8,2005 causing large scale destruction and killing 80,000 people. Endit