Release of IAF Wing commander Abhinandan would be a "very much welcomed step": UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

release of an Indian pilot by Pakistan would be a "very much welcomed step", Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, stressing that mess to India and Pakistan from world body and international community is to de-escalate tensions. 

" reports of promise of release of Indian pilot by Pakistani authorities would be a very much welcomed step. We would encour both parties to do whatever y can to de-escalate situation and this is mess that has been passed on by UN and by international community as a whole". 

Secretary-General is "obviously, following situation as we see it even today with deep concern, and United Nations' mess, both publicly and privately, to both sides is to urgently take steps to lower tensions through meaningful, mutual engment and meet ir responsibilities to maintain peace and security in region," Mr Dujarric ded. 

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan buckled under relentless and unprecedented pressure mounted by India and anunced that it will release captured IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan on Friday through Wagha Border. 

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Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan me anuncement in Pakistani Parliament on Thursday after his government's repeated and attempts using Wing Commander Abhinandan's capture to beg India to come to negotiating table utterly failed. 

anuncement from Pak Prime Minister came after India summoned Pakistan's acting envoy and issued him a demarche ultimatum over vulgar videos released by Pakistan of India's pilot and treatment he h been subjected to which, among or things, is violative of Geneva convention.

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Top sources in Ministry of External Affairs h ruled out any deal with Pakistan over Wing Commander's return, holding firm that Pakistan would have to release him as India h demanded - safely and immediately.

Pakistan's ill-vised reprisal came after Indian Air Force avenged Jaish-e-Mohammed-perpetrated Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF Jawans were martyred with a precision strike decimating Pakistani terror bases across LoC.