<p class="title">The US on Thursday welcomed Pakistan's decision to release captured Indian Air Force pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, from their custody.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In a surprise announcement during a joint session of Parliament, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that the captured IAF pilot Varthaman will be released on Friday as a gesture of peace.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pakistan detained Varthaman on Wednesday following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control when his MiG 21 fighter jet was downed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We welcome Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s commitment that Pakistan will release on Friday the Indian pilot held in its custody,” a State Department spokesperson told PTI responding to a question on the announcement made by Khan in the Pakistani parliament.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Simultaneously, the US has urged both India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The United States continues to urge both sides to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation, including through direct communication. Further military activity will exacerbate the situation,” the State Department spokesperson said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The US reiterated its call to Pakistan to abide by its UN Security Council commitments to deny terrorists safe haven and block their access to funds.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We reiterate our call for Pakistan to abide by its United Nations Security Council commitments to deny terrorists safe haven and block their access to funds,” the spokesperson said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Thursday joined other lawmakers in expressing concern over the escalating tension between India and Pakistan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"This is “a result of a Pakistan-based terrorist group’s brutal attack”, he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“I urge both countries to de-escalate the mounting tensions,” Hoyer said. </p>
<p class="title">The US on Thursday welcomed Pakistan's decision to release captured Indian Air Force pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, from their custody.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In a surprise announcement during a joint session of Parliament, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that the captured IAF pilot Varthaman will be released on Friday as a gesture of peace.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pakistan detained Varthaman on Wednesday following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control when his MiG 21 fighter jet was downed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We welcome Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s commitment that Pakistan will release on Friday the Indian pilot held in its custody,” a State Department spokesperson told PTI responding to a question on the announcement made by Khan in the Pakistani parliament.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Simultaneously, the US has urged both India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The United States continues to urge both sides to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation, including through direct communication. Further military activity will exacerbate the situation,” the State Department spokesperson said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The US reiterated its call to Pakistan to abide by its UN Security Council commitments to deny terrorists safe haven and block their access to funds.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We reiterate our call for Pakistan to abide by its United Nations Security Council commitments to deny terrorists safe haven and block their access to funds,” the spokesperson said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Thursday joined other lawmakers in expressing concern over the escalating tension between India and Pakistan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"This is “a result of a Pakistan-based terrorist group’s brutal attack”, he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“I urge both countries to de-escalate the mounting tensions,” Hoyer said. </p>