Tensions high with faceoff at Kashmir IndiaPakistan border
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yesterday prepared to hand over a captured Indian pilot while blistering crossborder attacks across the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir continued for a fourth straight day, even as the two nucleararmed neighbours sought to defuse their most serious confrontation in two decades.
Tens of thousands of Indian and Pakistani soldiers face off along the Kashmir boundary known as the Line of Control, in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
On the Indian side of Pakistan’s border crossing at Wagah, turbaned Indian policemen lined the road yesterday in expectations of the pilot’s handover. A group of cheering Indians waved their country’s national flag and held up a huge garland of flowers to welcome him back.
Tensions have been running high since Indian aircraft crossed into Pakistan on Tuesday carrying out what India called a preemptive strike against militants blamed for a February 14 suicide bombing in Indiancontrolled Kashmir that killed 40 Indian troops. Pakistan retaliated, shooting down two Indian aircraft on Wednesday and capturing a pilot.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told lawmakers early yesterday: ‘‘We are releasing the Indian pilot as a goodwill gesture tomorrow.’’
But India made it clear that the latest escalation has changed its strategy and that it would strike, including inside Pakistan, if it had information of an attack in the planning.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned ‘‘India’s enemies are conspiring to create instability in the country through terror attacks.’’
Khan also said he had feared that India might launch a missile attack, but the situation was later defused.
‘‘Pakistan wants peace, but it should not be treated as our weakness,’’ Khan said. ‘‘The region will prosper if there is peace and stability. It is good for both sides.’’
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s air space remained closed to most air traffic, causing congestion as flights between Asia and Europe that crossed the nation’s airspace were cancelled. Some domestic flights were allowed. India also closed some airports and many flights had to be cancelled or rerouted.
Residents of the Pakistani border town of Chikhoti reported heavy shelling overnight and yesterday morning. More than 200 people had fled to a militaryorganised camp 20km from the border.
Police in the Indiancontrolled Kashmir said a man was wounded and at least two civilian homes were damaged in the crossborder shelling. — AP