Detailed Video Report | High time for our political leadership to step up to take measures to de-escalate the current situation: Mehbooba

I see it as a mark of reconciliation, our leadership should reciprocate: Mehbooba

New Delhi: Former Jammu & Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti lauded Pakistan PM Imran Khan for releasing captured IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and said that he acted like a statesman. She also expressed hope that the Indian leadership will also reciprocate this peace gesture. Briefing the joint session of the parliament PM Khan announced that Varthaman will be released tomorrow as a “peace gesture”.

“Good news, whole nation will be relieved. I hope our leadership will also reciprocate this peace gesture. I hope Imran Khan will stand by his word and take steps on Indian dossier on Pulwama attack,” Mufti said.

Sharing a video in which the captured pilot was seen having tea and talking to a Pakistani official, Mufti praised them for displaying a civilized behaviour at such a time when tensions between both the countries have escalated.

The former J&K CM also said that the decision to hand over Wing Commander Abhinandan shouldn’t be seen in isolation. She also said that his release comes at a time when Pakistan could’ve chosen to further escalate an already tensed situation.

“I see it as a mark of reconciliation. Our leadership should reciprocate,” she further tweeted.

The IAF Wing Commander was flying a MiG 21 Bison when it was brought down over PoK during an aerial skirmish between the IAF fighters and the PAF jets. PAF’s F-16 fighters had violated the airspace over Jammu and Kashmir but were chased away by the IAF. A Pakistani F-16 was shot down and it crash-landed across the LoC. Pakistan, however, denied that it had not deployed the American-made fighter jet.