Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman will be released tomorrow as a “gesture of peace”, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced at the country’s parliament today.
Wing Commander Varthaman was taken captive by Pakistan yesterday after a combat between the Indian and Pakistani fighter planes. A video showing Varthaman – shot in Pakistan – was released some time later, showing him with a cup of tea praising the Pakistani army and saying he had been treated well.
Khan today said that he had tried to call India Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday to say that Pakistan did not want escalation of the tense situation at the India-Pakistan border. However, he added, “Our push for de-escalation doesn’t mean we are afraid.”
