Representational
There will be no beating retreat ceremony at Wagah border on Friday.
As per the sources, Pakistan was planning to return Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman during the ceremony. However, keeping in mind the sensitivity of the matter, Border Security Force (BSF) cancelled the ceremony.
Pakistan wanted to use the occasion to spread its propaganda.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Thursday that the captured IAF pilot will be freed on Friday after New Delhi sought his unconditional, immediate and unharmed release.
Calling it a "peace gesture", in what is being seen as a diplomatic victory for India, Khan told a joint session of the Pakistan National Assembly that the India-Pakistan situation should not "get out of hand" or otherwise Islamabad "will have to retaliate".