Pakistan will release captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman today (Friday) as a gesture of peace towards New Delhi and a step showing deescalation in favour of regional peace.
The move was announced Thursday by Prime Minister Imran Khan at a joint session of Parliament after Pakistan a day prior had shot down two Indian aircraft that had crossed the Line on Control (LoC) and captured Wing Commander Abhinandan — something that came as an unexpected setback for India.
Sources informed Geo News that Abhinandan would be handed over at Wagah border crossing to officials of the Indian High Commission.
On the other side of the border, according to BBC, Indian officials have said they were “extremely happy” that their pilot would be released.
While Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj had commented that “India does not wish to see further escalation of the situation”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to make a public comment.
