New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced in Pakistan's parliament that the Indian Air Force pilot in its custody will be released tomorrow as a peace gesture. Earlier, the country had said it was prepared to release the pilot from its custody if doing so would ease tensions with India, its foreign ministry said Thursday. "We are ready to hand over the Indian pilot if it leads to de-escalation," the Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman told news agency AFP, attributing the statement to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
India has said that it expects the "immediate and safe return" of the pilot who was captured by Pakistan during an air combat on Wednesday. Sources have told NDTV that there will be "no deal" on the Indian Air Force pilot. The government would not ask for consular access. "We want him back. If Pakistan thinks that they have a card to negotiate with, they do not," sources said.
Earlier today, the United States, United Kingdom and France have moved a fresh proposal at the United Nations Security Council or UNSC to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. If the proposal in passed, Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed or JeM chief Masood Azhar will get the tag of being a 'UN-designated global terrorist', which in turn would subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after IAF fighter jets destroyed a major terror camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot, around 80 km from the Line of Control, in a pre-dawn strike on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, New Delhi summoned the Pakistan envoy and lodged a strong protest over "unprovoked act of aggression by Pakistan", saying its jets had targeted military installations in India a day after Indian fighter jets crossed the Line of Control and carried out a strike at a major terror camp.
India had been on high alert amid warnings of retaliation by Islamabad after IAF fighter jets destroyed a major terror camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot, around 80 km from the Line of Control, in a pre-dawn strike on Tuesday.
New Delhi said it was a "non-military and pre-emptive" strike based on credible inputs that Jaish was training suicide bombers for more attacks in the country. Over 40 soldiers were killed on February 14 when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber attacked a security convoy.
Here are the LIVE UPDATES On India-Pak situation after IAF strike on Pak terror camps:
Mar 01, 2019 03:36 (IST)
I had good conversations and I am hopeful that we can take down the tension there, at least for the time being, so they can begin to have conversations that don't portend risk of escalation to either of the two countries. So we're working hard on that: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Mar 01, 2019 03:35 (IST)
We were and continue to be engaged with issue between India and Pakistan. I spent good deal of time on phone yesterday talking to leaders in both countries, making sure good information was exchanged, encouraging them to not take action that will escalate and create increased risk: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Feb 28, 2019 23:48 (IST)
Russian President Vladimir Putin told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a phone call that he hopes for a quick settlement of a crisis between India and Pakistan, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Feb 28, 2019 19:18 (IST)
"We have been giving them befitting reply and will continue to do so": Major general Surendra Singh Mahal on ceasefire violations
Feb 28, 2019 19:16 (IST)
If Pakistan provokes us any further, we are prepared for any contingency: Major General Surendra Singh Mahal
Feb 28, 2019 19:16 (IST)
Our fight is against terrorism. We are ready to destroy terror installations until Pakistan backs terrorism: Major General Surendra Singh Mahal
Feb 28, 2019 19:14 (IST)
Navy deployed in high state of readiness to deter, prevent and defeat any misadventure by Pakistan. Can assure you of swift action when needed: Rear Admiral Gujral
Feb 28, 2019 19:12 (IST)
We are ready to act against inimical forces: Major General Surendra Singh Mahal
Feb 28, 2019 19:12 (IST)
Our mechanised forces are on standby. I want to assure the nation that we are fully prepared: Major General Surendra Singh Mahal
Feb 28, 2019 19:11 (IST)
Pakistan targeted brigade headquarters: Major General Surendra Singh Mahal
Feb 28, 2019 19:10 (IST)
Pakistan resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations: Major General Surendra Singh Mahal
Feb 28, 2019 19:09 (IST)
Pakistani bombs exploded in Indian military formation, but couldn't inflict any damage: Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor
Feb 28, 2019 19:08 (IST)
Pakistani Aircraft targeted military formation: Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor
Feb 28, 2019 19:07 (IST)
Indian Air Force detected a large package of Pakistan aircraft near West of Rajouri: Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor
Feb 28, 2019 18:51 (IST)
Joint press conference by armed forces to begin shortly.
Feb 28, 2019 17:48 (IST)
"Pakistan PM has exhibited real statesmanship today. It is time for our political leadership to step up and take measures to de escalate the current situation. People of Jammu and Kashmir are living under unimaginable duress. How much longer will we suffer for?": Mehbooba Mufti on Twitter.
Feb 28, 2019 17:29 (IST)
I am very happy, I had demanded his release earlier too. This is going to be a step towards goodwill and I hope this will be lasting: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.
