Pakistan said Wednesday it has arrested several militants belonging to the group believed to be behind a fatal attack on an Indian air base, a move that could help soothe irritated relations with New Delhi.

Pakistan said Wednesday it has arrested several militants belonging to the group believed to be behind a fatal attack on an Indian air base, a move that could help soothe irritated relations with New Delhi.

The announcement came as Islamabad said it was considering sending a team to investigate the January 2 attack on the Pathankot air base, in what observers hailed as a "genuine" bid to salvage a nascent peace process between the nuclear-armed rivals.

The attack -- a rare targeting of an Indian military installation outside disputed Kashmir -- threatened to undermine improving relations with Pakistan after decades of fractious ties.

It came just a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian leader to visit Pakistan in 11 years.

India says the assault, which left seven soldiers dead, was carried out by the banned Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammed.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan had arrested "several individuals belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad", adding that progress was being made in the investigation.