Pakistan should return Wing Commander Abhinandan immediately, no question for deal, say Govt sources

Amid tensions with Pakistan after the air strikes as an Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in under Pakistan’s custody, the Indian government is planning to bring him back safely and immediately. The government has demanded an "immediate and safe return" of IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman captured by Pakistan.

In a fresh report, from news agency ANI, government sources said that India expects Pakistan to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman immediately as there is no question for any deal. The sources said that If Pakistan thinks they have a card to negotiate with then they are mistaken. India expects the Wing Commander to be treated in a humane manner, sources added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said that Pakistan is 'willing' to return Wing Commander if it leads to 'de-escalation' between the two countries.

Speaking to Geo News, Pak FM Qureshi further said, “Prime Minister Imran Khan is ready to hold a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Justifying the air strikes carried out by IAF on Jaish camp in Balakot, sources further stressed that India did not target any civilians or military installations, but Pakistan escalated by targeting Indian military installations. India did not deliberately cross LoC, very strong demarches have been given. India has foiled Pak attempts at creating a war psychosis.

“Pakistan is trying to create a Kandahar type pressure but India will not give in, there will be no deal or talks on Wing Commander,” sources added.

Stressing on Pulwama attack by Pakistan based Jaish sources said, India did not consider giving actionable intel earlier as Pak has not acted in past on actionable inputs on Mumbai & Pathankot. Terrorists were caught, audio gave, access given to forwarding posts in Pathankot. Pakistan remained in denial. 13 days after Pulwama, they still deny the JeM role.

As Pakistani authorities have stopped Samjhauta Express and closed its airspace, sources said that India is ready for talks with Pakistan on Kartarpur but they had called it off. “We are trying to appear reasonable, they are creating a war hysteria,” sources said.

Meanwhile, joint military (Army, Navy, Indian Air Force) press conference has been scheduled on the situation at 5 pm.

Also read: Pakistan Foreign Minister: 'We are willing to return Wing Commander Abhinandan if...'