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| Pakistani PM says Indian pilot to be released Friday as peace gesture | Pakistani PM says Indian pilot to be released Friday as peace gesture |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| In a parliamentary address, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that the Indian Air Force pilot shot down and captured over Pakistan will be released tomorrow as a gesture of peace, stressing need for dialogue. | In a parliamentary address, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that the Indian Air Force pilot shot down and captured over Pakistan will be released tomorrow as a gesture of peace, stressing need for dialogue. |
| "As a peace gesture we will be releasing him tomorrow," Khan said, adding that "all issues should be resolved through dialogue.” | "As a peace gesture we will be releasing him tomorrow," Khan said, adding that "all issues should be resolved through dialogue.” |
| Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s jet was shot down Wednesday in Pakistani airspace while flying over Kashmir, the hot-spot in rising tensions between the rival nations. After ejecting from the aircraft, he was mobbed by angry civilians and had to be rescued by Pakistani soldiers. | Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s jet was shot down Wednesday in Pakistani airspace while flying over Kashmir, the hot-spot in rising tensions between the rival nations. After ejecting from the aircraft, he was mobbed by angry civilians and had to be rescued by Pakistani soldiers. |
| India’s Ministry of External Affairs admitted the loss of the aircraft on Wednesday, but announced that a Pakistani warplane had also been taken down. The countries began trading blows after New Delhi launched a preemptive strike against suspected terrorist camps in Pakistani territory Tuesday. | India’s Ministry of External Affairs admitted the loss of the aircraft on Wednesday, but announced that a Pakistani warplane had also been taken down. The countries began trading blows after New Delhi launched a preemptive strike against suspected terrorist camps in Pakistani territory Tuesday. |
| India justified the strikes by saying that it was in response to Pakistani-based militants attacking and killing over 40 of its police officers in mid-February. | India justified the strikes by saying that it was in response to Pakistani-based militants attacking and killing over 40 of its police officers in mid-February. |
| Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told reporters earlier on Thursday that his government was willing to consider returning the captured airman if his release would help de-escalate the tense situation. “We are ready for all positive engagement,” he stressed. | |
| As tensions appear to be far from dying down, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that his country is “standing like a rock” to counter what he labeled Pakistan’s “evil designs.” | |
| While both states have been trading accusations and pinning the blame for the escalation on each other, RT has been told that neither has a real interest in an all-out war. | |
| However, some analysts have predicted that a worst-case scenario could also take place, resulting in the use of nuclear arms. | |
| The prospect of the conflict developing into something more serious might also end up being a major problem for China and the US. As one of Pakistan’s major trading partners, China is likely to take a serious hit if the country plunges into chaos. Meanwhile, Washington’s ties to both countries have prevented it from taking a side, a position which might in itself jeopardize relations. | |
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