India-Pak Tensions LIVE: In First Tri-Services Press Meet, India Debunks Pakistan Army's Lies, Say India's Military Structures Were Their Target

The PM was speaking at an award ceremony for scientists at Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital.

Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh touring border areas of Punjab tweeted on the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

Dear @narendramodi ji , I’m touring the border areas of Punjab & I’m presently in Amritsar. Came to know that @pid_gov has decided to release #AbhinandanVartaman from Wagha. It will be a honour for me to go and receive him, as he and his father are alumnus of the NDA as I am.

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) February 28, 2019

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohamed bin Zayed makes telephone calls to Indian and Pakistani prime ministers, stresses importance of dealing wisely with recent developments and giving priority to dialogue and communication.

The Congress party tweeted on the release of IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. 

We are deeply relieved to hear the Pakistan govt. will be releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman & he will be back in India shortly. We salute his incredible bravery in the face of uncertainty.

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 28, 2019

Lt Gen (Retd) HS Panag said Geneva convention is applicable for any type of war or armed conflict and Abhinandan Varthaman is currently Pakistan's prisoner of war.

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted on the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

@ImranKhanPTI Every noble act makes a way for itself... your goodwill gesture is ‘a cup of joy’ for a billion people, a nation rejoices...
I am overjoyed for his parents and loved ones.

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) February 28, 2019

Cabinet briefing at 9 pm at Shastri Bhavan by Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Visuals from the high level meeting on security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.

Highlights of tri-services press conference:

- Pakistan aircraft targeted military installations: AVM R G K Kapoor

- IAF happy that Wing Commander Abhinandan will be freed and looks forward to his return tomorrow: AVM Kapoor.

- Pakistan lied that no F-16 was used but there was enough evidence: AVM Kapoor.

- Pak bombs fell on campus of army installations but failed to hit targets: AVM Kapoor.

- Army says mechanised forces put on standby, troops ready to deal with any security challenge.

- Indian Navy says it is in high state of readiness to deal with any Pak maritime misadventure.

- Escalation of tension done by Pakistan, India prepared for any contingency if enemy provokes us, says Army Maj Gen S S Mahal.

- Credible evidence that we destroyed target in strike on JeM camp, premature to give number of casualties: AVM Kapoor.

- Electronic signature proves Pakistan deployed F-16 to attack Indian military installations, says IAF.

- IAF says up to political leadership to decide on releasing evidence of Balakot strike success.

Navy Rear Admiral Dalbir Singh Gujral: “Navy deployed in high state of readiness and remains poised in all three dimensions, surface, under sea, to deter, prevent and defeat, in maritime domain. Assure you of a resolute, swift and strong response by Navy when needed, we stand one with army and air force to assure security.”

Visuals of cover of AARAM missile fired from Pakistani F-16 aircraft found near the LoC in India.

Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor: “We have evidence to show that whatever we wanted to do and targets we wanted to destroy, we have done that. Decision to show the evidence is on senior leadership.”

In response to counter terror strike, Pakistan Army first resorted to unprovoked cross border firing in Sunderbani, Bimber, Nowshera and Krishna Ghati, and this was responded to by Indian Army in fitting manner: Maj Gen Surendra Singh Mahal

Vice Air Marshal RGK Kapoor on Balakot attack | Vice Air Marshal RGK Kapoor says, “Premature to say what the number casualties are. We achieved our intended target. But we have evidence that proves that IAF MiG 21 bison downed an F-16 and the F-16 crashed on PoK side. We found AMRAM debris East of Rajouri. AMRAM is only found on Pakistani F-16. We also registered F-16's electronic signature on our equipment. 

Pakistan also claimed they intentionally targeted empty area but we know they targeted our military installations. They dropped the bombs on our military formations, but were unable to cause any significant damage due to the swift response of our forces. We have also received the news that Pakistan is releasing captured IAF pilot tomorrow. We are happy he is being released and we welcome him: Major-General Surendra Singh Mahal

Navy Rear Admiral DS Gujral: “We are ready for any misadventure by Pakistan and we are ready for resolute action. We want to ensure safety and security of our citizens.”

Pakistan aircraft were targeting military installations, like the Brigade HQ. But due to alertness of IAF, their efforts were foiled. There have been many factually incorrect information spread by Pakistan in wake of the air strike. At first (after aerial engagement) they said two IAF aircraft were shot down and three pilots were captured. Later they changed to two aircraft and two pilots. Then finally they said one pilot had been captured and one plane had been downed: Vice Air Marshal RGK Kapoor

Addressing the press conference, Vice Air Marshal RGK Kapoor says, “On Feb 27 at 10 am IAF radars detected Pakistan Air Force  which breached the Indian air space. The Pakistan aircraft was intercepted by IAF. One F-16 of Pakistan Air Force was shot down by MiG 21 Bison. We lost one MiG 21 Bison but pilot landed in Pakistan territory.” Joining him are Major Genral Surendra Singh Mahal, Navy Rear Admiral Dalbir Singh Gujral.

The joint press briefing by Army, Navy and Air Force to begin shortly at South Block.

WATCH | "Gesture Of Peace" Imran Khan Announces Release of Captive IAF Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the US continues to be very engaged with India and Pakistan, has spoken to leaders of both countries. Earlier in a statement, the White House urged "both sides to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation." Pompeo said he had spoken separately with the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan and urged them to "prioritise direct communication and avoid further military activity".

The sources said Pakistan's claims that its air force did not target Indian military installations during the intrusion were false, adding that the alertness of the armed forces remained at the highest level.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy tweeted on the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan as a welcoming gesture.

The release of #IAF pilot Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman by Pakistan is a welcome gesture.

Happy that our brave soldier is returning.#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan

— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) February 28, 2019

Mita Santra's husband Bablu Santra was one of the 40 victims of the suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14.

Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tweeted, “Welcome decision by Pakistan PM Imran Khan to release the captive Indian pilot as a peace gesture. Hope better sense prevails the war clouds scatter and the Kashmir dispute moves towards a peaceful resolution."

The Civil Aviation Authority said today that Pakistani airspace will open at 6 pm on March 1. The country closed the airspace on Wednesday amid the tensions with India.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted, “Really happy to know Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be back home tomorrow.”

India must not lose sight of the long term objective of causing Pakistan to give up the use of terror against it and the importance of imposing costs on it until such time that its stops so doing. The pressure being mounted against it by us should not be eased merely because they have said that they will hand over the pilot in their custody. This is not an act of charity but a requirement under international humanitarian law. Had an already beleaguered Pakistan continued to do so it would only have hurt itself further and come under additional pressure: former deputy NSA Satish Chandra

Imran Khan said he's taking the first step towards a peace process. He must realise that this is but the first step and he must take many other steps before he can reasonably expect the resumption of a meaningful bilateral dialogue. Specifically, he must provide evidence of his intent to shut down the infrastructure of terror in Pakistan by inter alia acting against the LeT, JeM etc, bringing to book those involved in 26/11, and other terror incidents in India and handing over to us terrorist leaders like Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim etc: Former deputy NSA Satish Chandra

Former deputy NSA Satish Chandra: “It is welcome that the Pakistan Prime Minister has announced that the Indian pilot in their custody would be released tomorrow. This announcement is a result of the pressure put on Pakistan by India and the international community as also Pakistan's desire to extricate itself from the desperate straits that it is in.”