Srinagar, Feb 28 (KNS): The Kashmiri mainstream leaders today welcomed the Mehbooba Pakistan PM Imran Khan's peace gesture to release captured Indian war pilot.
“The decision to hand over Wing Commander Abhinandan is a great gesture & shouldn’t 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,” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
In a tweet National Conference vice president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah said, “Very glad to know that #WingCommandarAbhinandan will be heading home. I’ll wait for him to be back on Indian soil before I welcome him back but I’m greatly relieved that PM @ImranKhanPTI has announced the imminent release of our pilot.”
“Pakistan PM Imran Khan move to release Abhinandan is a welcome move. Conflicts per se r not irresolvable. Leadership makes a conflict resolvable or irresolvable,” Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone tweeted.
The captured Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot will be released on Friday “as a peace gesture”, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Thursday.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the IAF was captured by Pakistanis on Wednesday after his MiG was shot down and fell in Pakistani territory during a dogfight. (KNS)