The dispute between the two nuclear powers India and Pakistan around the region has once again come to fruition. Calls from abroad came for moderation. The air traffic is heavily disturbed.
The escalating conflict over Kashmir between the two nuclear powers of India and Pakistan is now showing signs of calming. Islamabad is ready to release the arrested Indian pilot if that helps ease the tensions. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in a report on Thursday.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was ready for a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They want to do everything they can to restore peace, Qureshi said.
Previously, Pakistan had accused the US of contributing to the escalation of the conflict with India. Pakistani ambassador to the US, Asad Majeed Khan, said the US had not condemned Indian air strikes on targets in Pakistan on Tuesday. At the same time, the ambassador reiterated that the US could play the role of mediator in the conflict between Islamabad and New Delhi. “Maybe no country other than the US is better at playing a role.”
The escalating conflict between the nuclear powers of India and Pakistan has now also disrupted air traffic between the region and the rest of the world. Because closing of airspace over Pakistan, the Thai airline temporarily aborted all flights from Bangkok to Europe.
The airline Air India made announcements that all flights to India from Europe and the US are to be diverted via Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. This will lead to delays. Several airports in northern India has been closed.
After India’s air force attack on Pakistani territory during the night on Tuesday, Pakistan has claimed that they shot down two Indian fighter jets in defense on Wednesday, and an Indian pilot was been arrested. Pakistan’s army spokesman Asif Ghafoor posted on Twitter a photo of the apparently injured lieutenant colonel.
According to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Pakistani ambassador was ordered to complain about this “vulgar representation” of the prisoner, which violated international law and the Geneva Convention. India expects his immediate, safe return.
According to Indian representation, the attack of the Pakistani Air Force had applied military facilities on Indian territory. India had defended it and shot down a jet from Pakistan. India lost an interceptor.
According to Indian sources, India’s air strike on Tuesday hit a training camp run by Islamist terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. According to Indian reports they claimed the suicide attack on February 14 in the Indian part of Kashmir.
India’s government over the Hindu nationalist BJP party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is under pressure to show strength as a parliamentary election is due in a few months. There were reports of firefights and troop movements near the Kashmir border.
The German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) called both sides to prudence. “We hope that does not lead to a war,” he said during his visit to Mali in Gao. Maas also called on Pakistan to crack down on terrorist organizations. Many other countries commented similarly.
Since the independence of former British India and its split in India and Pakistan in 1947. The two countries claim the Himalayan valley Kashmir for themselves. They each control one part and have already fought two wars around the area. India accuses the Pakistani military intelligence service ISI of supporting Islamist terrorists in The Indian part of Kashmir. Pakistan denies this.