A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale has jolted neighboring countries Afghanistan and Pakistan, swaying buildings in both Kabul and Islamabad.

Geological centers said the epicenter of the earthquake was in the mountainous Hindokush region, about 250 kilometers (160 miles) north of Kabul and 131 kilometers (80 miles) northwest of the Pakistani town of Chitral.

The tremor, which took place at 11:44 pm local time (1744 GMT Thursday), shook the ground and reportedly disrupted electricity supplies in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The quake also shook buildings in the Pakistani cities of Peshawar and the capital Islamabad, sending frightened people into the streets and open spaces

It was also felt as far east as Lahore near the Indian border.

There were no immediate reports of fatalities or damage from the quake in mountainous parts of both countries.

Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan are frequently hit by earthquakes.

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake in Kashmir and northwest Pakistan left 74,000 people dead in October 2005.

JR/MTM/DT