India intensifies attempts to free IAF pilot from Pakistan custody

The Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) summoned the acting high commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah and demanded immediate and safe return of the pilot.

New Delhi: A day after Pakistan violated Indian air space, India has escalated its attempts to free IAF pilot who is currently in Pakistan custody after falling in their territory post a mid-air tension between Pakistani and Indian fighter planes on Wednesday morning. India also issued a formal notice to Pakistan for releasing the IAF pilot, whose videos were emerging on social media platforms. In spite of a formal request from India, Pakistan is yet to respond to the same. The aerial engagement between India and Pakistan for the first time since the 1971 war marked a dramatic escalation of confrontation prompting world leaders to urge the two neighbouring countries to exercise "utmost restraint". India said it shot down a F-16 warplane of Pakistan while it lost a MiG 21 during the fierce engagement between the air forces of the two countries along the Line of Control(LoC).

Sources: Indian High Commission in Pakistan last evening gave a demarche to Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for immediate and safe return of Wing Commander Abhinandan. Similar Demarche was given to Pakistan's acting High Commissioner in New Delhi yesterday. pic.twitter.com/OSznWFajGB

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2019

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan sought to defuse the escalating tension by saying war is futile and can lead to unknown consequences while making an oblique reference to the nuclear weapons that both countries possess. "I ask India: with the weapons you have and the weapons we have, can we really afford a miscalculation? If this (situation) escalates, it will no longer be in my control or in (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi's," Khan said in a live television broadcast, as he offered to hold talks with India to resolve issues. The Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) summoned the acting high commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah and demanded immediate and safe return of the pilot. It was also made clear to Pakistan that no harm should be caused to the Indian defence personnel, the ministry said, adding it has conveyed strong objection to the neighbouring country at the "vulgar display" of an injured personnel in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention.