Earthquake Jolts Kashmir’s Baramulla District
A 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir early Monday, February 2, 2026, triggering panic among residents. The quake occurred at 5:35 a.m. Local time, with the epicenter located in the Pattan area of Baramulla, approximately 10 km northeast of the tourist resort Gulmarg.
According to the National Centre of Seismology (NCS), the earthquake’s depth was recorded at 10 km. Initial reports indicated a magnitude of 4.6, which was later revised to 4.7.
Tremors reportedly lasted for approximately 20 seconds, causing widespread anxiety. However, as of February 2, 2026, no casualties, injuries, or significant damage to property have been reported in either Jammu and Kashmir or neighboring Pakistan, where the tremors were also felt.
The NCS stated the epicentral region was located near Gulmarg and west of Srinagar. Further pinpointing the location, the epicenter was approximately 84 km west of Pahalgam and 164 km southwest of Kargil.
Social media users shared videos capturing the intensity of the tremors, with one video showing roughly 30 seconds of shaking. Another post included audio described as a seismic sound wave accompanying the earthquake.
The Kashmir Valley is situated in a highly active seismic zone. The National Seismic Hazard Map released by the Bureau of Indian Standards in November 2025 places the entire Himalayan arc, including Kashmir, in Seismic Zone VI, indicating a high risk of earthquakes.
The region has a history of devastating earthquakes. A 7.6-magnitude earthquake on October 8, 2005, flattened large areas of Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control, resulting in thousands of deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure.
