Pak to release pilot Abhinandan tomorrow as 'peace gesture': Imran Khan

Khan on Thursday said: "Today at a time of having an external threat,our nation is united.Before my oath as PM I'd said if India moves one step,we will go 2 steps forward bcuz our region is poorest in the world & for prosperity we need peace but India didnt respond."

Also giving a warning to India, Khan said: "No sovereign country allows aggression in its territory, when India attacked we assessed the situation then retaliated to show our capability. Our main issue is Kashmir, India cannot subdue the indigenous Kashmir movement with oppression."

A day after the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan claimed that it has shot down two aircrafts of the IAF and captured pilot  Abhinandan.

The neighbouring nation also released a video where the pilot was seen tied to a chair. Later in a video, he was seen lauding the Pakistan Army saying it had kept him safely.

The surgical strike was a response to Feb 14 Pulwama terror attack, in which over 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were martyred. The attack was carried out by Pakistan-based militant organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Rubbishing India's blame on Pakistan, Khan had said he would take action if his neighbour could provide evidences proving his country's involvement in the attack.

India says no negotiation:

Before Khan's announcement, the government on Thursday asserted that there will be no negotiation with Pakistan on the issue of 'safe return' of Abhinandan and New Delhi is also not impressed with Khan's fresh offer to talks.

"There will be absolutely no deal, no negotiations with Pakistan on safety and immediate return of pilot Abhinandan....If they think otherwise, they will not achieve such goals," a source had said here.

Ban Masood Azhar:

The United States, the United Kingdom and France have submitted a fresh proposal at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to designate JEM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

If the resolution is passed, Azhar will not be able to travel to different countries and also his assets will be frozen. He will also be subjected to arms embargo.

While Russia is also expected to support the fresh proposal, all eyes are now on China which had blocked the passage of the resolution in the past.

Don't make safe heaven of terrorists:

The United States has urged both the countries to "cease all cross-border military activity" and deescalate the situation immediately.

The US also said Pakistan must abide by the UN Security Council Commitments and should not give the terrorists a safe heaven.

Image Credit: Screenshot grab from Dawn News video