Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits northern Afghanistan

A 5.9-magnitude quake has struck northern Afghanistan, jolting the Indian capital and parts of Pakistan.

The tremor struck 300 kilometres northeast of the Afghan capital Kabul at 5.16am (AEDT) at a depth of 92.4km, the US Geological Survey said.  

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The quake was felt across northern Afghanistan and Pakistan, and in the Indian capital Delhi.

In October a 7.5-magnitude quake ripped across Pakistan and Afghanistan, killing almost 400 people and flattening buildings in rugged terrain that impeded relief efforts.

For many in Pakistan, October's quake brought back traumatic memories of a 7.6-magnitude quake that struck in October 2005, killing more than 75,000 people and displacing some 3.5 million.

Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.