PAKISTANI Prime Minister Imran Khan said Thursday that Pakistan will release a detained Indian pilot Friday for the sake of peace and de-escalation of tensions between the two neighbors.

Pakistan’s air force shot down two Indian warplanes after they crossed the boundary between the two nuclear-armed rivals in the disputed territory of Kashmir Wednesday and captured two Indian pilots, one of whom was injured, a Pakistani military spokesman said.

Addressing a joint session of the two houses of the parliament, Khan said the Pakistani Government has decided to hand over the pilot to Indian authorities as a goodwill gesture.

On Wednesday, Khan also invited India for dialogue to counter terrorism and reduce tensions between the two nations.

Khan was addressing the nation amid tensions between the two countries following a recent suicide attack on the Indian police in Kashmir.

“Both countries cannot afford miscalculation because of the weapons we have. Pakistan is ready for dialogue to counter terrorism. Let’s sit on the table to find out solution to the problems,” Khan said after the Pakistan army said its air force shot down two Indian fighter jets along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir region.

Confirming the downing of the Indian fighter jets, the prime minister said, “Pakistan responded in compulsion” after the Indian aircraft had entered the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

(Xinhua)