LIVE Updates: India warns Imran Khan to ensure safe return of IAF pilot as PM Modi weighs in all options

LIVE Updates: India warns Imran Khan to ensure safe return of IAF pilot as PM Modi weighs in all options

India-Pakistan tension: Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, warns the Indian government.

India-Pakistan Conflict Live Updates: Amid rising tension between India and Pakistan after the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted aerial strikes in Pakistan's Balakot, a Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial town, India on Thursday night raised strong objection to Pakistan's unwarranted advances into its airspace. Warning Pakistan via its Acting High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah, India strongly objected to Pakistan's "vulgar display" of an Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, captured during the dogfight between Indian and Pakistani air troops and said it would be "well-advised" to ensure that no harm came to Wing Commander Abhinandan. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was holding close-door talks with Army, Air Force, and Navy chiefs till late Thursday, is weighing in all options, including diplomatic as well as military actions, before taking the final decision, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has invited India to "sit and talk", while also issuing a warning that the situation could go out of hand if not handled properly.

Catch all the latest updates on the India-Pakistan conflict on BusinessToday.In LIVE blog.

8.38am: Time to introspect, says Yechury: CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has said it was time for the Centre government to introspect. "It is time for the Modi govt to introspect on the statement by 21 Opposition parties. Do not undermine India's fight against terrorism for partisan benefits," Yechury tweeted.

8.25am: Pak airspace to remain closed today: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced complete closure of flight operations for all domestic and international airlines across Pakistan till further orders.

8.10am: US, UK, France ask UNSC to ban Masood Azhar: The US, the UK and France has finally asked the United Nations Security Council to ban Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar in a fresh proposal. While the United States, Britain and France has proposed the United Nations Security Council to blacklist the JeM chief, the move is likely to be opposed by China, which previously prevented the Security Council's Islamic State and al Qaeda sanctions committee from sanctioning him in 2016 and 2017.

8.00am: Canada calls for de-escalation of tensions:Canada has urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any further military escalation, Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said, reported PTI. Dialogue between India and Pakistan is needed to identify a durable diplomatic solution and maintain peace and security in the region, Freeland said. We are committed to working with India, Pakistan and our international partners in this effort, she said.

7.30am: Avoid military action, US to India, Pak: Fearing an escalation of the current tensions between India and Pakistan, the Pentagon has urged the two South Asian neighbours to avoid further military action, reported PTI. The US Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan has been in contact with the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Advisor John Bolton, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford, and Commander of US Central Command General Joseph Votel regarding India-Pakistan tensions.

Edited by Manoj Sharma