LIVE! Lockheed Martin, maker of F-16 jet, denies Pakistan’s claim about suing India

18:48  Abhinandan says went through mental harassment in Pak: Report:  

Indian Air Forces Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who returned to India on Friday after spending nearly 60 hours in captivity in Pakistan, has reportedly informed that he went through a lot of mental harassment in Pakistans custody. 

He, however, said that he was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis, news agency ANI reported. 

The Indian Air Force pilot was captured by the Pakistani military on Wednesday, after his fighter — a MiG-21 — was shot down during a dogfight with jets from the neighbouring country at a time of mounting tensions between the two countries. 

Pakistani officials held that although Wing Commander Varthaman was initially assaulted by local residents upon parashooting into their territory, he was treated well by them.

18:29  Lockheed Martin, maker of F-16 jet, denies Pakistan’s claim about suing India:  

American defence major Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-16 fighter jet, on Saturday rejected a Pakistani official’s remark that it was going to sue India for “wrongly claiming” that one of its planes was shot down by MiG-21 Bison during an aerial fight in Jammu and Kashmir.

The clarification came after several Pakistani media outlets, including civil officials, shared the information about the lawsuit. The Pakistan media’s claim was also tweeted by Pakistan censor board chairman Danyal Gilani, who deleted the tweet after Lockheed Martin’s clarification.

“Lockheed Martin has made no such comments,” the Indian subsidiary of the company wrote in response to Gilani’s tweet. Responding to the company, Gilani in his defence said, “I acknowledge the statement is wrongly attributed to you. I picked it from a website. However, I stand by Govt of India’s failure to prove it downed a Pakistani F-16 jet.”

Both India and Pakistan are locked in a war of words over the use of F-16 jet. While India claims that Pakistan used the F-16 jet to violate the Indian air space and attempt air strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad has rejected any such notion — as any such admission would violate US sale conditions of not letting Pakistan use F-16s in an offensive role.

17:59  Resolution submitted in Pak parliament to endorse Imran Khan for Nobel Peace Prize:  

A resolution was submitted in Pakistan Parliament on Saturday to endorse Prime Minister Imran Khan for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize due to his efforts to de-escalate resent tension with India. 

Pakistan’s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday submitted the resolution in the secretariat of National Assembly, the lower house.

The resolution stated that Khan’s decision of releasing Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan has de-escalated the hostility between Pakistan and India.

According to the resolution, Khan acted responsibly in the current tension and “deserves the Nobel Peace Prize”.

The resolution is expected to be taken up on Monday when it is scheduled to convene its session.

It is also expected to be passed as the government has majority in the House but it will be interesting to see if main opposition parties support the move.

— PTI

17:42  Pak kept Abhinandan’s pistol, returned only watch and ring:  

IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman finally returned home on Friday night after endless hours of tension and wait. Pakistan said he was handed over along with his belongings, however, all that he came back with were his ring, a watch and spectacles.

Upon ejecting out of his crashed MiG 21 Bison, Abhinandan still had his pistol with him, which he used to allegedly fire on locals in Pakistani territory who were chasing him.

Abhinandan was also carrying maps and a survival kit with him and some documents that he managed to destroy before he was captured by the Pakistani army.

However, none of those came back with Abhinandan Varthaman on Friday night when Pakistani Rangers handed him over to the Border Security Force at the Wagah-Attari border.

Abhinandan Varthaman came empty handed, dressed in civilian clothes and without any bags or kits.

The IAF pilot came back with his ring, his spectacles and a blue Casio G-Shock watch.

Interestingly, the “taking over certificate” refers to Abhinandan Varthaman as a “prisoner of war” and has even allotted him the number 27981. India has nowhere referred to Abhinandan as a prisoner of war.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Amethi, the parliamentary constituency of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday to launch a Kalashnikov rifles manufacturing facility.

During his visit, the PM will unveil several other development projects for Amethi and the region, a statement from his office said. At Kauhar in Amethi, the PM will dedicate the Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Limited to the nation.

The Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd is a joint venture between India’s Ordnance factory and a Russian firm. It will produce the last series of Kalashnikov rifles in the Korwa Ordnance Factory.

The PM will unveil several development projects in power generation, education, health and manufacturing sectors. These projects will directly benefit the Amethi region, the statement said.

Modi will also address a public gathering at Kauhar.

— PTI

16:38  Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman meets Wing Commander Abhinandan:  

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was brought to Delhi after Pakistan released him through the Attari-Wagah border late Friday night, at Delhi’s Army Hospital. 

Early Saturday morning, Varthaman met his immediate family members as well as several top officials of the Indian Air Force.

Varthaman arrived in the national capital around 11:45 pm on Friday and soon after he was taken to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment, a compact and specialised medical evaluation centre for aircrew of all the three services.

He was captured by Pakistani authorities on February 27 after his MiG 21 Bison went down during a dogfight with Pakistani jets. But before his plane was hit, Varthaman shot down an F-16 of Pakistan air force.

Wing Commander Varthaman is undergoing a series of medical tests as part of the “cooling down” process and it is expected to continue till Sunday. Once, the health check up phase is over, debriefing sessions will be arranged for him, officials said. 

16:10  Part of Mumbai airport’s T2 evacuated after bomb threat call:  

A part of Terminal 2 of the Mumbai international airport was evacuated on Saturday after authorities received what they said was a “non-specific” bomb threat call at around 11am.

A Mumbai airport official said security teams were carrying out searches in the premises.

“Mumbai airport authorities received a call around 11:00 am which threatened that a bomb explosion would take place at the international terminal in the next 12 hours. Following this, offices of various airlines, and pre-departure and arrival areas were evacuated,” the official said.

He said the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee was convened to assess the “threat call”.

As a mitigation measure, the committee decided to evacuate departure, pre-security hold area and ‘meeters and greeters’ area of Terminal 2, he added.

Operations at the Mumbai airport are already shut due to ongoing runway maintenance and repairing work, which commenced on February 7.

Both runways of the airport do not function from 11 am to 5 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays as part of the work which is scheduled till March 30.

— PTI

15:56  Samjhauta Express services restored; Train to run from India on March 3::  

The Samjhauta Express will leave for Pakistan from Delhi on March 3 after the two neighbours agreed to operationalise services at their ends, a senior railway official said. 

The announcement came a day after Pakistan released Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

The official said the first train from India will leave on March 3.

While Pakistan had cancelled its services right after an air strike by the Indian Air Force, India cancelled the operations of the Samjhauta Express on February 28.

The train will start running from the Indian side on Sunday, while on the Pakistan side it will leave Lahore on Monday on its return journey.

On the Indian side the train runs from Delhi to Attari and from Lahore to Wagah on the Pakistan side.

15:25  Delhi court summons Jairam Ramesh, Caravan magazine in Vivek Doval defamation case:  

A Delhi court on Saturday summoned Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and The Caravan Magazine as accused in a defamation case filed by National Security Adviser Ajit Dovals son Vivek Doval against them.

They have been called to appear before the court on April 25 after Vivek Doval sought action against The Caravan magazine, among others, over an article.

Besides the magazine and the Congress leader, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal also summoned the article writer, Kaushal Shroff.

All three are summoned for April 25, the judge said. Vivek Doval had sought prosecution of Ramesh for using the articles content to address a press conference without verifying the facts. However, The Caravans political editor Hartosh Singh Bal had said, We have gone by facts and we have documents

The article has alleged that the fund headed by Vivek Doval, based in the Cayman Islands, was involved in the laundering of black money and routing it to India after demonetisation was implemented in 2016. Ajit Dovals sons run a web of companies including a Cayman Islands hedge fund even as father demands crackdown on tax havens, The Caravans January 16 article, The D Companies, stated.

15:01  Abhinandan shifted to Air Force hostel after medical check-up:  

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was brought to Delhi after he crossed into India through the Attari-Wagah border late last night, has been shifted to an Indian Air Force hostel after a medical check-up at a military hospital, sources said. 

The IAF pilot, who was captured by Pakistani forces after his MiG-21 went down during a dogfight in which a Pakistani F-16 was also blasted out of the sky, returned home after spending nearly 60 hours in captivity.

The pilot’s homecoming, which inspired many hashtags on social media, was celebrated across the nation with politicians, celebrities and others saluting his grace and courage in the most dangerous circumstances.

“Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan! The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. Vande Mataram!” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Wing Commander Varthaman, who comes from a family of decorated fighter pilots, became for many a symbol of hope and the easing of tension between India and Pakistan after their biggest standoff in years.

He was also praised for his grit and composure as he was beaten up by locals, blindfolded and handcuffed by the Pakistani military and then questioned, seen in videos emerging out of Pakistan that violated the Geneva Convention.

14:33  Comedian Trevor Noah called out over jokes on Indo-Pak war:  

Actor Swara Bhasker and comedian Mallika Dua slammed comedian Trevor Noah over his insensitive comments on Indo-Pak tensions.

South African comedian Trevor Noah, host of ‘The Daily Show’, during an episode, tried to find humour in the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

In the video, being shared widely on social media, Noah said that while he hopes India and Pakistan do not go to war, it would be the “most entertaining” war if they did.

Swara Bhasker has now taken to Twitter to call out the comedian and tell him that neither is war ‘funny’, nor Hindi ‘gibberish.’ Calling his statement both ‘ignorant & racist’, the actor wrote, “@Trevornoah 1. War isnt funny or entertaining. 2. Hindi is not gibberish. Ur stereotype of indo- pak is ignorant & racist. 3. Ur set smacks of essentialism & a patronising generalisation & is v #FirstWorld 4. Human lives were lost & at stake. SO disappointing! @ComedyCentral.”

Comedian Mallika Dua too slammed Noah over his remarks and took to Twitter to write, Shockingly unintelligent & tone-deaf What makes it sadder is that @Trevornoah cracked such a below average, shit joke. Something Russel Peters probably threw in the bin before his first open mic in life. If youre going to be a racist comic than at least get the comic bit right.

14:10  AAP announces candidates on 6 out of 7 seats in Delhi for LS polls:  

Ending speculations of an alliance with the Congress, the Aam Admi Party on Saturday announced the names of party candidates on six of seven seats in Delhi for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi AAP convener Gopal Rai said Atishi will contest from East Delhi, Guggan Singh from North-West Delhi, Raghav Chadha from South, Dilip Pandey from North-East, Pankaj Gupta from Chandni Chowk and Brijesh Goyal will contest from New Delhi seats.

Rai said the candidate for West Delhi will be announced soon.

The six candidates were earlier appointed as in charge on the respective Lok Sabha seats.

During a meeting of ‘Mahagathbandhan’, leaders at NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s residence last month, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had refused a proposal for alliance between his party and the AAP, citing opposition from its Delhi unit leaders, Rai added. 

— PTI

13:49  Properties linked to Jamaat-e-Islami leaders sealed in Kashmir:  

Authorities in Kashmir have sealed several properties belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami, including residences of some of its activists, police said on Saturday, days after the Centre banned the outfit on grounds that it was “in close touch” with militant groups and was likely to “escalate secessionist movement”.

Several properties, including residential houses, belonging to various JeI leaders and activists were sealed in many areas of the city and elsewhere in the Valley Friday night, a police official said.

He said bank accounts of JeI leaders have also been freezed.

Various district magistrates have also sought list of moveable and immovable properties of the Jamaat leaders, he said.

However, it was not clear if the move was linked to the ban on JeI or  was done by NIA in connection with its probe into money-laundering cases.

The Centre on Thursday banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for five years under anti-terror law on grounds that it was “in close touch” with militant outfits and was expected to “escalate secessionist movement” in the state.

A notification, banning the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was issued by the ministry of home affairs after a high-level meeting on security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The ban follows a massive crackdown on the outfit in the Valley since last week. Around 150 leaders and activists of the outfit have been detained in raids at several places across Kashmir.

According to central government officials, the Jamaat was responsible for the creation of the state’s biggest terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen and the brain behind the formation of Hurriyat Conference.

— PTI

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir will visit Pakistan on Saturday, carrying a special message from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, reported Samaa TV.

Adel will hold discussions with his Pakistan counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on the escalated tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Saudi foreign minister was earlier expected to visit Pakistan on Thursday, but the visit was delayed due to unexplained reasons.

Notably, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman recently visited both India and Pakistan. In his bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MBS had described terrorism as a common concern. 

— ANI

13:05  ICICI-Videocon case: Chanda Kochhar, husband appear before ED:  

Former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar and husband Deepak Kochhar appeared before the Enforcement Directorate this afternoon in connection with a money-laundering case related to a bank loan fraud, officials said.

The two reached the central agency’s regional office in Ballard Estate area around noon, a day after the ED raided their premises.

Officials said the investigating officer of the case will record their statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The ED on Friday conducted searches at the premises of Chanda Kochhar, former chairman ICICI Bank, and Venugopal Dhoot of Videocon Group in Mumbai and Aurangabad, respectively. 

A total of five premises were covered, officials said. 

The two were grilled by the agency officials on Friday too.

The ED has registered a criminal case under the PMLA early this year against Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar, Dhoot and others to probe alleged irregularities and corrupt practices in sanctioning of Rs 1,875-crore loans by ICICI Bank to the corporate group.

The CBI has named all the three and Dhoot’s companies — Videocon International Electronics Ltd  and Videocon Industries Limited.

The CBI also named Supreme Energy, a company founded by Dhoot, and NuPower Renewables, a company controlled by Deepak Kochhar, in the FIR.

— PTI

12:53  Meaning of Abhinandan will change now: PM on IAF pilot’s return:  

“Abhinandan” used to mean welcome, but its meaning would change now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday in an apparent reference to the IAF pilot released by Pakistan.

The world takes note of what India does and the nation has the power to “change dictionary meanings”, Modi said at a housing ministry event.

His remarks came a day after IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was handed over to India by Pakistan after being in captivity for nearly three days.

He was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following a dogfight between the two air forces in which his MIG-21 was shot down.

“The world takes note of what India does … India has the strength to change the meaning of words in the dictionary.

“Abhinandan once used to mean welcome. And now the meaning of Abhinandan will change,” he said

Soon after the pilot was released, Modi had tweeted, “Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan! The nation is proud of your exemplary courage.”

— PTI

12:01  After IAF pilot’s return, 3 civilians killed in shelling by Pak along LoC:  

Three members of a family were killed and two others injured as Pakistani forces heavily shelled areas along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

Pakistani forces targeted civilian areas with mortar bombs and heavy guns, including Howitzer 105 mm, they said, adding that Indian forces retaliated effectively. 

In the heavy shelling, three members of a family were killed and another was injured in Salotri in Poonch district, where shells hit several houses, they said.

Twenty-four-year-old Rubana Kosar and her son Fazan (5) and nine-month-old daughter Shabnam were killed in the shelling. Rubana’s husband Mohd Yunis was injured, they said. 

In violation of the ceasefire agreement with India, Pakistani forces have been shelling areas along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts for eight consecutive days.

The year 2018 had witnessed the highest number of ceasefire violation, numbering 2,936 by Pakistani troops, in the last 15 years.

Pakistan continues to violate the 2003 ceasefire agreement with India despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the pact during flag meetings between the two sides. 

— PTI

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the return of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthman from captivity in Pakistan and called on the two countries to sustain the “positive momentum” and engage in further constructive dialogue.

“UN chief Guterres welcomes the news of the release of the Indian pilot by Pakistani authorities,” his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said when asked about the Secretary-General’s response to the development.

“The Secretary-General calls on both parties to sustain this positive momentum and engage in further constructive dialogue. His good offices remain available should both sides agree,” Dujarric said.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s release was being watched with bated breath across India as the IAF pilot was accorded a hero’s welcome as he crossed onto India through the Wagah Border.

The IAF pilot’s release was seen as a major step towards defusing a near-war situation triggered by India’s retaliation over Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism.

— PTI

11:16  Chanda Kochhar, Videocon chief called for questioning in loan case today:  

The Enforcement Directorate today summoned former ICICI Bank chief executive Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon managing director Venugopal Dhoot for questioning in a loan case. The probe agency said it has asked them to come for questioning around noon in Mumbai.

The summons were sent a day after the homes and offices of the Kochhars Mr Dhoot were searched by the Enforcement Directorate. The search Ms Kochhar’s premises went on till 8 pm on Friday, sources said. She was also taken to the ED’s office in Mumbai and questioned till 4:30 pm, they said. Venugopal Dhoot was questioned till 11 pm yesterday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has already issued a look-out circular against Kochhar and has revived ones against her husband Deepak Kochhar and Dhoot. Look-out circulars are notices sent to transit points like airports to restrict the movement of people under investigation by probe agencies.

The case is related to a loan given by ICICI Bank to Videocon when Chanda Kochhar was heading it, and the business ties between Venugopal Dhoot and her husband.

Dhoot allegedly invested Rs 64 crore in NuPower Renewables, a company founded by Kochhar’s husband, a day after Videocon group was granted a loan of Rs 200 crore by ICICI Bank.

10:33  UNSC blacklists Osama bin Laden’s son:  

The United Nations Security Council has designated Hamza bin Laden, the son of slain Al Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, under its sanctions list, subjecting him to a travel ban, assets freeze and an arms embargo as it described him as being seen as the “most probable successor” of the group’s current leader Aiman al-Zawahiri.

The UN Security Council’s 1267 ISIS and Al Qaida Sanctions Committee listed 29-year old Hamza bin Laden on Thursday, the day the US announced a reward of up to one million dollars for information about him.

Saudi Arabia also announced Friday it had revoked the citizenship of Hamza bin Laden via a royal decree in November. 

A Security Council press release said al-Zawahiri has announced that the Saudi Arabia-born Hamza bin Laden is an official member of Al Qaida. Hamza bin Laden has called for followers of Al-Qaida to commit terror attacks. Is seen as the most probable successor of al-Zawahiri, the powerful 15-member Council said. 

An assets freeze under the Sanctions Committee requires that all states freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. 

The travel ban entails preventing the entry into or transit by all states through their territories by designated individuals. 

Under the arms embargo, all states are required to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, spare parts, and technical advice, assistance, or training related to military activities, to designated individuals and entities.

Just hours before the UNSC Sanctions Committee designated Hamza bin Laden, the US State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program announced a reward for up to USD 1 million for information leading to his identification or location in any country, saying he is emerging as a leader in the Al Qaida franchise. 

“Since at least August 2015, he has released audio and video messages on the Internet calling on his followers to launch attacks against the United States and its Western allies, and he has threatened attacks against the United States in revenge for the May 2011 killing of his father by U.S. service members, the State Department said. 

In January 2017, the State Department had listed Hamza bin Laden as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, freezing all of his assets based in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons. The designation also prohibited US persons from engaging in transactions with him. — PTI 

10:08  Imran was in Lahore to ensure ‘smooth’ handing over of Indian pilot: Sources:  

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was present in Lahore to oversee the ‘smooth’ handing over captured Indian Air Force pilot to India at the Wagah border on Friday, official sources said.

Khan arrived in Lahore on Friday afternoon, a couple of hours before IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was brought to the Wagah border from Islamabad, amid high security.

“PM Khan’s main purpose of being in the town was to oversee the ‘smooth’ handing over of the captured Indian pilot to the Border Security Force,” an official source told PTI. 

He said during his stay Khan held a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, who praised the premier for ordering the release of the Indian pilot. 

They said this gesture would establish that Pakistan was a peace loving country and wanted peace with its neighbouring countries especially India. 

Buzdar said: “This move will help de-escalte tensions between India and Pakistan.” 

“The prime minister stayed in the city till the time the Indian pilot was handed over to his country. Later, he left for Islamabad,” the source added.

Pakistan Foreign Office, in a statement issued after handing over of the Indian pilot to India said: “Prime Minister Imran Khan who announced his (Varthaman’s) return as a ‘goodwill gesture’ aimed at de-escalating rising tensions with India.”

Wing Commander Varthaman was arrested when his MIG-21 crashed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after being shot down by Pakistan Air Force for what Islamabad said “violating Pakistani airspace” on February 27. —PTI  

As Jet Airways continue to face severe financial problems, Air India said Friday it would not accept any passengers that have got cancelled tickets of the former airline.

Generally, when an airline cancels a flight due to some exigencies, other airlines accommodate the former’s passengers in their flights. The airline, which has got its flight cancelled, has to pay other airlines for passengers accommodated.

“With immediate effect and till further notice, Jet Airways (India) Limited and Jet Lite Limited documents (including FIM and endorsed/involuntary rerouted/rebooked/exchanged/reissuedocuments) are not to be accepted for travel on Air India flights,” said an order of Air India dated March 1. FIM stands for Flight Interruption Manifest. 

Around 15 aircraft of Jet Airways have been grounded by the lessors due to non-payment.

Jet is trying to raise funds for its operations as it has a debt of around Rs 8,200 crore currently.

Moreover, its pilots have been threatening action as there have been delays in salary payment.– PTI

09:23  Chiefs of Air and Naval staffs to get Z-plus security:  

The chiefs of the Indian Air Force and Navy will get Z-plus security cover after a fresh assessment of their threat perception by the security agencies, officials said. 

The decision was taken after a thorough review of the threat perception of IAF chief Air Marshal B S Dhanoa and chief of Naval staff Admiral Sunil Lanba in the wake of heightened tension with Pakistan.

The chiefs of Air Staff and Naval Staff will be given the Z-plus security, a government official said.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat has already been given the Z-plus security.

The official, however, said close proximity security of the chiefs of Air Staff and Naval Staff will continue to be given by the commandos of the respective forces, and the peripheral security will be given by the central and state security agencies. 

Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after 40 CRPF personnel were killed and many injured on February 14 in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a JeM suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan retaliated with a large air formation, comprising 24 fighter jets, including F-16s. — PTI

08:24  Russia offered to mediate, provide venue to India, Pak to hold talks: FO:  

Russia on Friday offered to mediate and provide venue to Pakistan and India for the talks to resolve their current differences, Pakistan foreign office said.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi over telephone and discussed the situation in the region following escalation of tensions between the two neighbours, it said. 

“Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov reiterated his country’s offer of mediation and provision of venue for the talks between India and Pakistan,” the FO added.

Qureshi appreciated Russia’s balanced and constructive role in de-escalation of tensions in the region.

He welcomed the Russian offer and said that he had acknowledged Moscow’s constructive role in Parliament while addressing the joint session earlier in the day, which was well received.

The two Foreign Ministers agreed to continue consultations for promotion of peace and stability in the region, according to the foreign office. — PTI

01:12  Abhinandan lands in Delhi:  

Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman landed in Delhi on Friday night, hours after he was handed over to India by Pakistan after being in captivity for nearly three days.

A group of people gave a rousing welcome to him at the Palam airport, from where he would be taken to a medical facility for examination.

He was handed over to Indian authorities at Attari-Wagah border on Friday evening.

Wing Commander Varthaman, who was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following a dogfight between the two air forces in which his MIG-21 was shot down, returned home from his nearly three-day captivity, a major step towards defusing a near-war situation triggered by India’s retaliation over Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism.

He finally emerged at 9.10 p.m(IST) at the Wagah checkpost on the Pakistani side, accompanied by Pakistani rangers, the Indian air attache posted in the High Commission in Islamabad.  — PTI

Photograph: PTI Photo