A major earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre in the Hindukush mountains of Afghanistan was felt in India and Pakistan early this morning but there were no immediate reports of casualty or damage.

The temblor, which occurred at 0317 IST, was also felt in the Kashmir Valley, the scene of a devastating earthquake two months ago.

The quake was epicentred at 36.8 degree North latitude and 70.7 degree East longitude, the Meteorological department said here.

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

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

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