Kabul - An earthquake shook the Afghan capital and other cities in northern parts of the country Saturday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake's magnitude was 5.6 and the epicentre was at a depth of 177 kilometres.

The quake hit the Hindu Kush mountainous region, about 275 kilometres north of Kabul and 66 kilometres from Faizabad, the capital city for northern Badakhshan province, the survey said in its website.

"There was a sudden jolt and we all rushed out of our houses as everything was swaying for a minute," Sayed Bari said in Faizabad.

The tremor was also felt in neighbouring Pakistan and Tajikistan. (dpa)