WATCH: Pakistan's gesture to release Wing Commander Abhinandan 'in consonance with Geneva Convention', says IAF

During the joint press briefing by personnel of all three Forces - the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor spoke about the announcement by Pakistan PM Imran Khan about releasing IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan by Pakistan on March 1 as a goodwil gesture towards India.

Wing Commander Abhinandan was captured by Pakistan forces on Wednesday when his MIG-21 Bison was shot down during a dog-fight with Pakistan's F-16 and he ended up in Pakistan.

When asked whether the Forces see the release of the IAF pilot as a goodwill gesture, Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor said the Indian Air Force only sees it a gesture which is in alignment with the Geneva Convention.

"As far as Indian Air Force is concerned, we are happy that our pilot who had fallen across the Line of Control and was in custody of Pakistan is being released, we're extremely happy to have him back. We only see it as a gesture which is in consonance with all Geneva convention," he said.

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Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan PM Imran Khan had announced the release of  Wing Commander Abhinandan, claiming that the decision was taken as a goodwill towards India.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan made the announcement in the Pakistani Parliament on Thursday, after his government's repeated attempts and statements using Wing Commander Abhinandan's capture to beg India to come to the negotiating table utterly failed, leaving Pakistan with no escape route. 

Sources to Republic TV, however, said that Pakistan had come under a lot of pressure due to India. Top sources in the Ministry of External Affairs had ruled out any deal with Pakistan over the Wing Commander's return, holding firm that Pakistan would have to release him as India had demanded - safely and immediately. 

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