Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Pakistan's announcement that IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman would be released by them on Friday as a 'goodwill gesture'.
Mehbooba said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has exhibited 'real statesmanship' with his gesture to release the Indian pilot and it is now the turn of the Indian political leadership to 'step up' and de-escalate the heightened tensions.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Pakistan's announcement that IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman would be released by them on Friday as a 'goodwill gesture'.
"The decision to hand over Wing Commander Abhinandan is a great gesture & shouldnt be seen in isolation. It also comes at a time when Pak could’ve chosen to further escalate an already tensed situation. I see it as a mark of reconciliation . Our leadership should reciprocate," PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said on Twitter.
Moderate Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, welcoming the announcement, expressed the hope that war clouds would scatter, and the Kashmir dispute move towards a p peaceful resolution.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told a joint session of Parliament that IAF's captured pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be released on Friday as a gesture of peace.
"In our desire for peace, I announce that tomorrow, and as a first step to open negotiations, Pakistan will be releasing the Indian Air Force officer in our custody," PM Khan said.
The gesture is greeted with near unanimous support in the parliament.
The surprise announcement came barely an hour after Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Prime Minister Khan is ready to talk to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions.
The announcement was greeted by thumping of desks by Pakistani lawmakers.
Indian and Pakistani air force engaged in "aerial engagement" on Wednesday, a day after Indian fighter jets bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp in Balakot.
On Wednesday morning, Pakistani jets entered Indian airspace in the Jammu sector, and Indian Air Force fighter jets chased them. Abhinandan Varthaman's MiG21 Bison jet crossed into Pakistani airspace while chasing away a Pakistan Air Force jet and was shot down.
(With inputs from Agencies)