GILGIT: A 5.2 magnitude earthquake jolted parts of Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday, blocking the Chipurson Valley road and triggering landslides.

According to the seismological centre, the earthquake was recorded at 5:35am. The depth was 15 kilometres and the epicentre was 27 kilometres northwest of Sost town near the Khunjerab top.

The most affected area was the Chipurson Valley in Gojal, Upper Hunza, located near the Pakistan-China border close to the Khunjerab Pass.

According to the local administration, jolts were felt in the Hunza and Nagar districts, causing intense tremors across the affected area of Chipurson Valley.

The tremors caused panic among the local population, and people evacuated their homes. According to authorities, the earthquake triggered landslides in multiple areas, and a rockfall blocked the Chipurson Valley road near Ramanji.

While officials noted that no casualties or structural damage have been reported so far, residents provided a conflicting account of the destruction.

Local people said the earthquake also damaged homes, infrastructure, and a religious place.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2026