The latest confrontation between the neighbours erupted after a suicide bombing in Indian Occupied Kashmir killed over 40 Indian troops on February 14, with the attack allegedly claimed by Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) group.Twelve days later Indian warplanes violated Pakistani airspace and dropped payload in haste as they were chased by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets.It was the first such aerial raid since their last war in 1971 – before either country had nuclear weapons.An infuriated Islamabad denied casualties or damage in the incident, but a day later launched its own incursion across the Line of Control, the de facto Kashmir border. That sparked the dogfight that ended in destruction of two Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 jets, and Abhinandan s capture.
VIDEO: Captured Indian pilot says he is very impressed by Pakistan Army
Analysts said the pilot could prove to be Islamabad’s trump card, but Prime Minister Imran Khan unexpectedly announced Thursday that he would be released a day later in the first sign of a potential thaw.Khan alluded to the catastrophic consequences of nuclear war and called for talks, even as he warned India should not take the announcement as a sign of weakness.The last time an Indian pilot was captured by Pakistan, in 1999, the Red Cross (ICRC) met Flight Lieutenant K. Nachiketa at the Pakistani foreign office in Islamabad before escorting him to the Indian high commission overnight.He left for India that same day.On Friday a Red Cross spokesman told AFP the aid organisation is “ready to provide any assistance necessary”, but so far “is not involved” in Abhinandan’s return.
