A magnitude 5.4 earthquake originating near Doda, a town in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir, shook the area on Tuesday. The tremors were widely experienced in northern India, including New Delhi, as well as in parts of Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The quake's depth was recorded at 3.7 miles by India’s National Center for Seismology. In Islamabad and Lahore, Pakistan, the earthquake prompted many people to evacuate buildings. While officials in both India and Pakistan have not reported any immediate damage, the event underscores the region's vulnerability to seismic activity.

This image depicts the scene in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, following heavy rainfall on May 25, 2023. The area experienced a 5.4 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday. (Muzamil Mattoo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Kashmir region has a history of significant earthquakes. A devastating 7.6 magnitude quake in 2005 in Pakistan-administered Kashmir resulted in over 75,000 fatalities. Kashmir remains a contested territory, divided between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming it in full. The Indian-administered portion houses a substantial Indian military presence, a source of contention for many residents who desire independence or unification with Pakistan.