Security forces arrested two Jaish-e-Mohammed militants during a joint search operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday. According to ANI, an AK-47 rifle, a pistol, under barrel grenade launcher, grenades, and other ammunition were recovered from them.

The arrests come hours after the Ministry of External Affairs ordered Pakistani High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar to leave the country in 48 hours. Akhtar had been declared persona non grata (an unacceptable or unwelcome person) for reportedly being involved in espionage activities. Two men were also arrested from Rajasthan for leaking highly-classified defence documents to Akhtar, who worked in the high commission's visa department.

The arrests came as cross-border firing continued in Jammu's RS Pura sector on Thursday. At least 12 people have been injured in the firing so far. Following the Army's surgical strikes, several security personnel have lost their lives in cross-border firing on both sides of the Line of Control. People living in the affected area have also been forced to migrate to safer locations.

India has said that there has been an increase in ceasefire violations after it carried out surgical strikes on "terror launchpads" along the Line of Control on September 29. Officials reported breaches on October 3, 4 and 5 along the border in the region. On September 18, militants had attacked an Indian Army installation in Uri, killing 19 soldiers. India had accused Pakistan of being involved in the attack, but Islamabad has dismissed the allegations as baseless.