Pakistan to release Indian pilot on Friday

In a bid to reduce the conflict between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday announced the decision to release the captured Indian pilot as a "peace gesture". 

The move is expected to further reduce tensions between the two neighbouring countries in the near future. 

"We have decided to release the captured Indian pilot tomorrow as a peace gesture," Khan announced in Pakistan Parliament.

This comes after Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the country is ready to release IAF pilot Abhinandan if it leads to de-escalation. 

The Indian fighter jet was shot down in what Islamabad called a "retaliation" to India conducting airstrikes in its territory.

Pakistan will release Indian Pilot Abhinandan tomorrow as a gesture of peace: Prime Minister Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/6aUN4S9JVb

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 28, 2019