NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday to take “firm and immediate action” against those behind an attack on an Indian Air Force base that left seven soldiers dead.

Modi's office said New Delhi had given Islamabad “specific and actionable information” on the audacious attack, which came just days after a landmark visit to Pakistan by the Indian premier raised hopes of improved relations.

Security officials suspect the gunmen – all six of whom were killed – belonged to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, the group that staged a 2001 attack on the Indian parliament which brought the two countries to the brink of war.

In a statement, Modi's office said PM Nawaz Sharif had telephoned him to discuss the attack on the Pathankot base in the northern state of Punjab near the border with Pakistan.

Modi “strongly emphasised the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against the organisations and individuals responsible for and linked to the Pathankot terrorist attack,” said the statement.

“Specific and actionable information in this regard has been provided to Pakistan.” It said Sharif had given assurances that his government would take “prompt and decisive action”.

A statement from PM Nawaz Sharif's office said he conveyed his grief and sorrow to Modi for the lives lost during the Pathankot attack.

Sharif said terrorists will not be allowed to derail the peace process between the two countries and assured his Indian counterpart that Pakistan will investigate any leads or information provided by the government of India.