Pakistani officials say they have detained 44 members of an Islamic militant group that claimed responsibility for a suicide attack last month on Indian security forces in Kashmir.

The Pakistani government made the announcement on Tuesday. Officials also said the country's ambassador to India will return to his post after being recalled on February 18 due to worsening ties between the two countries.

Reinstating the envoy and cracking down on militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad are being seen as part of Pakistan's efforts to de-escalate military tensions with India.

Tensions rose after India bombed what it said are militant targets in Pakistan following the February 14 suicide attack. The incident killed 40 Indian soldiers in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Pakistan shot down two Indian fighters and seized a pilot in the region on February 26 to retaliate. Pakistan returned the pilot to India on Friday.

Pakistan's military said on Tuesday that it had blocked an Indian submarine from entering its territorial waters the previous day.

India has sent more troops to Kashmir and other areas and remains ready to attack Islamic militant strongholds.

NHK