Tuesday, December 13 2005 09:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale jolted both sides of Kashmir triggering panic among survivors of October's devastating earthquake who came out from their makeshift shelters in freezing temperatures but there were no reports of any damage or casualty.

The quake, epicentred in the Hindukush mountain range of Afghanistan, was felt at 0317 IST this morning in Uri, Srinagar and the national capital New Delhi. The temblor was epicentred at 36.8 degree North latitude and 70.7 degree East longitude, the Met department said in Delhi.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake was a magnitude 6.7 and was centred in the Hindukush region of northeastern Afghanistan.

With the memory of the devastating October 8 earthquake still fresh in their minds, people came out of their tents and sheds in several parts of the Kashmir Valley screaming, shouting and reciting verses from the Koran.

However, because of the freezing temperature outside, they went back to their dwellings but kept awake fearing more aftershocks. Birds were also spotted flying from their nests.

Official sources said there have been no reports of casualties or damage. Panic-stricken residents anxiously telephoned relatives and friends to inquire about their safety.

An official at the Peshawar earthquake centre was quoted by sources as saying the quake 'must be' about magnitude 6.5 and struck shortly before 3 am local time.

Reports said residents in cities across northern Pakistan also rushed out into the streets in panic.

On October eight, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 killed approximately 87,000 people in Pakistan and the Indian side of Kashmir.

Similar scenes of panic were witnessed at Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where people said this morning's earthquake was the strongest tremor since the killer quake of October 8.

People rushed out of their homes and tents as the ground shook for several seconds.