New Delhi: A strong earthquake jolted the national capital and its neighbouring region across north India on Monday triggering panic among residents everywhere. 

Strong tremors were felt in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

According to reports, tremors were result of a strong earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale that rocked Pakistan's northern areas including its capital Islamabad.

Strong tremors were also felt in Afghanistan, causing widespread panic there.

The India Meteorological Department said the epicentre of the quake lay in the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan.

The US Geological Survey said the epicentre lay 45 km south-southwest of Jarm in Afghanistan, around 240 km from capital Kabul. It put the intensity at 7.7 on the Richter scale.

The Pakistani met department put the intensity even higher - at 8.1. The Pakistani media said the quake was felt in all major cities including Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

Everywhere, tens of thousands of people fled out of their homes and high-rise buildings.

In the national capital, Delhi Metro immediately suspended its services.

The quake also affected the telecommunication services in Delhi and neighbouring regions as hundreds of thousands of people began telephoning one another.