A 7.7 magnitude earth quake has hit Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of India killing nearly 169 people and caused extensive damage in mountainous areas.

Read: Strong earthquake jolts Islamabad

According to The Guardian, the quake was centered in the province of Badakhshan in the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan and occurred at a depth of 130 miles (210km). Officials said at least 132 people were known to have been killed in Pakistan and 37 in Afghanistan.

Cities metro system was down as a security measure in Pakistan and India. Power was cut across much of the Afghanistan capital, Kabul.

Read: Heavy Damage By Earthquake – Pakistan Suffers

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted “We stand ready ford assistance where required including Pakistan and Afghanistan”

The death toll rose steadily as reports came in from around the country, with the National Disaster Management Authority warning it was likely to increase because remote areas could not yet be reached.