Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says Pakistan will release the captured Indian pilot as a “peace gesture” toward India.
Khan made this announcement today while addressing lawmakers in both chambers of parliament, convened to discuss the latest situation amid rising tensions with India over the disputed territory of Kashmir.
The PM said he tried to reach his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi with a message that he wants to de-escalate tension. He did not say how India responded to his initiative, the AP reported.
Khan also reiterated his offer for talks to New Delhi, saying this is the only way to solve all issues.
Tensions are running high along the contact line separating Kashmir’s Indian and Pakistani zones following a terrorist attack on an Indian military convoy in the Jammu and Kashmir state on February 14. Forty-five people were killed in the attack. Jaish-e-Mohammed (The Army of Muhammad) claimed responsibility for the attack.
On February 26, India’s aviation bombed this group’s camp in the part of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan. On February 27, the Pakistan Air Force responded with air strikes on military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi and Islamabad also stated that they downed each other’s plans in the air fight.
