ISLAMABAD, 30 December 2005 — An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale shook northern Pakistan and India early yesterday but there were no reports of any casualties or damage, officials said.

The epicenter of the quake, which occurred at 3.04 a.m. local time, was located in Hazara division, about 120 kilometers north of capital Islamabad, officials at the seismic center in Pakistan’s northern city of Peshawar said.

The earthquake was felt in Islamabad, Peshawar and Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

India’s Meteorological Department measured the quake at 5.2 on Richter Scale, according to the PTI news agency.

The agency quoted officials as saying there were no reports of damage to buildings or structures due to the tremor in India’s Jammu and Kashmir state.

At least 1,800 aftershocks and moderate earthquakes have been felt since Oct. 8 when a massive quake wreaked havoc in northern Pakistan and Kashmir, killing some 75,000 people and injuring some 100,000 others.

Soldier, Civilian Killed in Tribal Area

A Pakistani paramilitary solider and a civilian were killed while two suspected spies have been arrested in a restive tribal district near Afghanistan, officials said yesterday.

The soldier was shot dead by suspected militants late Wednesday in Mirali, some 25 kilometers east of Miranshah, the main town in the troubled region of North Waziristan, a local administration official said.

Separately authorities found the body of a local tribesman with his throat cut early yesterday in Miranshah, the official said. A note left nearby said that the man was killed for being an American spy, the official said.

World Leaders to Visit Pakistan

Thailand Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongtorn and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso will arrive here shortly. Taro Aso will be here on Jan. 4-5 and the Thai crown prince’s visit will be within this week, diplomatic sources told Arab News here Wednesday.

The Thai crown prince will meet President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

He will be in Pakistan’s capital for a short period.