Kashmir conflict: captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman will be freed on Friday as ‘peace gesture’, says Pakistan PM Imran Khan
- Khan warned that the de-escalation effort ‘should not be considered as weakness’
- Top Indian military chiefs said the army remained on a ‘heightened’ state of alert
But he warned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who earlier accused Islamabad of having “evil designs” to stunt India’s growth, that sending Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman home should not be viewed as a sign of weakness.
“We have captured a pilot of India. As a gesture of peace we are going to release him to India tomorrow,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said in an address to both houses of Parliament.
“I did try yesterday to talk to [Indian Prime Minister] Narendra Modi only to de-escalate this situation. But this de-escalation effort should not be considered as weakness,” he said. “The region will prosper if there is peace and stability. It is good for both sides.”
Top Indian military chiefs said the army remained on a “heightened” state of alert despite Pakistan’s promise.
“We are fully prepared and in a heightened state of readiness to respond to any provocation from Pakistan,” said Major General Surendra Singh Mahal at a press conference.
The military officials also unveiled fragments from a missile they said matched the Pakistani F-16 fighter jet that crossed into Indian airspace and was shot down.