UN chief Guterres lauds Pak's movement to return Wing Commander Abhinandan

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed Pakistan's peace gesture of returning Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthman to India and has called on the two countries to sustain the "positive momentum" and engage in further constructive dialogue.

Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to hand over the captured Indian pilot Wing Commander to India as a gesture of peace and goodwill after he was taken in custody as Pakistan Air Force shot down two fighter jets from India violating the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday.

Pakistan's move has been well appreciated by the international community including UN chief Antonio Guterres.

"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 further said.

The IAF pilot's release was seen as a major step towards defusing a near-war situation triggered by India's violation of Pakistan's airspace.