New Delhi: Soon after the surprise announcement of IAF pilot Abhinandan returning home broke on the news channels, every Indian breathed a sigh of relief. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday told that IAF's captured pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be released on Friday as a "gesture of peace". The Wing Commander was detained by the neighbouring country following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control when his MiG 21 fighter jet was downed. A wave of happiness took over the people and Twitter buzzed with jubilant reactions after hearing the good news.

Here are some of them:
















Here are some political reactions-






The surprise announcement during a joint session of Parliament came barely an hour after Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Prime Minister Khan is ready to talk to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions. As the opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif took the floor of the House, Prime Minister Khan apologised for interrupting and said he wishes to announce that the Indian pilot captured by Pakistan Air Force on Wednesday will be released Friday as a "peace gesture". The announcement was greeted by thumping of desks by Pakistani lawmakers.