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

The 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 the message to India and Pakistan from the world body and the international community is to de-escalate tensions. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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