Earthquake Hits Afghanistan, Pakistan

6.1 Magnitude Quake, Centered on Mountainous Hindu Kush Region, Rattles Buildings from Kabul to Islamabad

(AP)  A strong earthquake centered in the towering Hindu Kush mountains shook a wide area of eastern Afghanistan and Pakistan early Friday, swaying buildings in the Afghan and Pakistani capitals.

There were no initial reports of damage or casualties from the quake, which struck about 12:21 a.m. Afghan time (1951 GMT, 3:51 p.m. EDT Thursday).

However, the temblor was centered in a remote mountain area where communications are poor and reports of casualties take time to reach the capital.

The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 and was centered in the mountains about 167 miles (268 kilometers) northeast of Kabul and 140 miles (230 kilometers) west of Mingaora, Pakistan, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Buildings shook in the Pakistani cities of Peshawar and the capital Islamabad, and the quake was felt as far east as Lahore near the Indian border, Pakistani television stations reported.

The Afghan Interior Ministry said it had no immediate reports of deaths or damage.

Paul Caruso, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey, said that even though the quake was centered in a remote area, casualties were still possible given the size of the temblor. Caruso said Friday's quake was felt as far away as New Delhi, the Indian capital.

Caruso said the area is capable of producing large earthquakes because of the compression created when what is now India slammed against the Asian continent millions of years ago.

He said the largest quake recorded in that area was 7.8 on March 14, 1965.

[zopiboy]

If it was a natural earthquake, maybe Bin Ladin was buried in one of those many natural underground chambers he uses. If he accidentally set one of his cheap nukes off while testing it, maybe he went after the virgins himself. What puzzles me is Great Britian with all their expertise in occupying foreign countries, and weapons they used; Russia with all the weaponary/helicopters that they used against the Taliban, which accidently bankrupt the communist party, were never able to conquer the Taliban currently Al Qaeda who all they have to use are pickup trucks to transport mountain guerillas,and only have rocket launchers, rifles, and home made road bombs to fight with. Now with all our weapon technology, we donot seem to fare any better then Great Britian or Russia. I have to wonder how they manage to make those two countries give up. Maybe the earthquake will assist us in starving them to death or is that too barbaous for us to think so?!?!

[tbird6740]

My opinion (this is what this section is for, right?) I'm thinking along the same line as Questionews. I don't consider myself religious, but I think the towel heads might need to see things for what they are. God's speaking. I hope everyone is listening.

[tbird6740]

LOL! I had to look "yamika" up. Same as a yarmulka. I'm not Jewish, but thanks for the giggle.

[bubbadubba]

<<<Maybe Bin Ladin accidentally set one of his nukes off while testing it.>>>

I thought about that too.
Except for the witnesses seeing a "plane crash" in the area apparently right before the "earthquake". The "plane" was likely a cruise missile or a medium range missile.
I should point out that a smaller nuke registers 5.0-7.0 so this is right on the scale at 6.1.

[bubbadubba]

"Currently Al Qaeda?s presence made the U.S. forces shift their operation in the Hindu Kush mountain ranges."

[bubbadubba]

Sure it was an "earthquake", let's go with that one. I'm not going to say it but you put two and two together and figure it out. I am not saying it was a Pakistan nuke missile aimed at the Taliban hideouts, I am definitely not saying that.
Two stories today:

A strong earthquake has shaken buildings in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 and was centered in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. That's according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
KABUL ? Security forces searched a remote area of northern Afghanistan on Thursday after villagers reported an unidentified aircraft crashed into the towering Hindu Kush mountains.
Details were sketchy due to the remoteness of the crash site, said Abdul Majid Azimi, intelligence chief of Baghlan province. He had no further details, including the type of aircraft.
NATO forces spokesman Lt. j.g. Tommy Groves said the international coalition has no reports of any military aircraft having crashed ? including those belonging to NATO's International Security Assistance Force and the Afghan National Army.
U.N. spokesman Dan McNorton said all United Nations aircraft were accounted for."

[ToolMangler1]

Maybe Bin Ladin accidentally set one of his nukes off while testing it.

[bubbadubba]

Sure it was an "earthquake", let's go with that one. I'm not going to say it but you put two and two together and figure it out. I am not saying it was a Pakistan nuke missile aimed at the Taliban hideouts, I am definitely not saying that.
Two stories today:

A strong earthquake has shaken buildings in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 and was centered in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. That's according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
KABUL ? Security forces searched a remote area of northern Afghanistan on Thursday after villagers reported an unidentified aircraft crashed into the towering Hindu Kush mountains.
Details were sketchy due to the remoteness of the crash site, said Abdul Majid Azimi, intelligence chief of Baghlan province. He had no further details, including the type of aircraft.
NATO forces spokesman Lt. j.g. Tommy Groves said the international coalition has no reports of any military aircraft having crashed ? including those belonging to NATO's International Security Assistance Force and the Afghan National Army.
U.N. spokesman Dan McNorton said all United Nations aircraft were accounted for."

[Treadlightly2]

There was a guy in Afganistan leaving a comment about the Dick Cheney Dithering article who reported this 15 minutes ago..Bizzare..Instant information age.

[Questionews]

Looks like Allah is piszed!!

[ToolMangler1]

He should be.
They (the Taliban) are comitting every crime in the book in his name.