Pakistan has released an Indian military helicopter, hours after it strayed into Pakistani airspace and was forced to land.

The helicopter entered Pakistani airspace Sunday in the northern Skardu region, near Indian-administered Kashmir. The Pakistani military detained the four-member Indian crew immediately after the chopper landed, but released them after senior military officials from both sides spoke.

Indian officials say the aircraft mistakenly strayed into Pakistan because of bad weather. The helicopter has returned to Kargil in Indian-ruled Kashmir.

India and Pakistan have fought three major wars since they gained independence from Britain in 1947, two of which involved the disputed Kashmir region. Both sides claim Kashmir in its entirety.

Relations between the two countries have improved since they resumed a peace process in February, more than two years after a 2008 attack by Pakistani militants in the Indian city of Mumbai killed 166 people.