SRINAGAR: India`s counter-terrorism agency claimed on Sunday it had arrested two men in India-held Kashmir for allegedly harbouring gunmen behind a deadly attack on civilians, which sparked a days-long conflict between the two countries.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the two suspects were from the Pahalgam area, where gunmen killed 26 people two months ago.

`The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had... selectively killed the tourists on thebasis of their religious identity,` a statement by NIA said.

The agency identified the two men as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, claiming the duo `have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack`.

The NIA claimed the men in custody had identified the attackers as being Pakistani nationals.

New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the attack without providing any evidence, and Islamabad has denied the charge.-AFPbasis of their religious identity,` a statement by NIA said.

The agency identified the two men as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, claiming the duo `have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack`.

The NIA claimed the men in custody had identified the attackers as being Pakistani nationals.

New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the attack without providing any evidence, and Islamabad has denied the charge.-AFP