Pakistan says it has arrested dozens of militants in the wake of Kashmir attack

Pakistan's Interior Ministry says authorities have arrested dozens of suspects, including the brother of the leader of the outlawed Jaish-e-Mohammad group that India has blamed for the Feb. 14 suicide bombing in Indian Kashmir that killed 40 troops.

Thebombing last month triggered a dangerous escalation that last week pushed Pakistan and India close to an all-out war over Kashmir.

In Tuesday's statement, the ministry said44 suspects were arrested, including prominent members of the outlawed militant group. Among themwas Mufti Abdul Rauf,brother of the group's leader, Masood Azhar.

The ministry saidthe brother was among suspects listed in a file on the February bombing that India gave to Pakistan over the weekend. Kashmir is split between Pakistan and India,and is claimed by both in its entirety.

India responded to the Feb. 14 attack by sending fighter jets into Pakistan territory and launching airstrikes on a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp.

Some Indian opposition leaders had been raising doubts about the government's official claims that a "very large number" of members of the group were killed in the strike by Indian warplanes early on Feb. 26. The government has rejected the demand for proof.

IndianInterior Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday pointed to a government surveillance program that detected about 300 mobile phones at the area of the militant camp that are no longer active.

Pakistan has said the Indian bombs hit a largely empty hillside near the northeastern town of Balakot without hurting anyone.