India-Pak Tension LIVE: Pakistan Admits JeM Chief Masood Azhar is Here, But Claims He is Not Well

China Non-committal about UN's Move to Blacklist Masood Azhar | China on Thursday appeared non-committal about its stand on a fresh proposal moved by the US, the UK and France in the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based terror group JeM's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. China, a close ally of Pakistan, has consistently blocked moves first by India and later by the US, the UK and France to designate Azhar as a global terrorist by the 1267 Committee by putting technical holds.
 

UN Welcome's IAF Pilot's Release | The United Nation has welcomed Pakistan's decision to release IAF pilot Abhinandan's return. Spokesperson for UN Chief Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric said, "The release of an Indian pilot by Pakistan would be a very much welcomed step", stressing that the message to Indian and Pakistan from the world body and the international community is to de-escalate tensions.

A visual of the Wagah -Attari crossing on the day of IAF pilot Abhinandan's return:

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj reached Abu Dhabi last night to attend the Organistaion of Islamic Countries inaugural plenary session. She will speak at the OIC at 11 a.m. local time ( around 12.30 p.m. IST). She has two scheduled bilateral meeting with Bangladesh and UAE.

Six press conferences and briefings have been held since Tuesday. Three were held by Pakistan (two addressed by their military spokesperson and one by PM Imran Khan), and three convened by India (two by MEA officials, and one addressed by senior defence officers).

US Coaxes Pakistan to Take 'Demonstrable Action' against Terror | US Congressman Eliot Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs urged Pakistan to take "demonstrable action" against terrorist groups including Jaish-e-Mohammad to avoid the kind of "miscalculation" that the country's Prime Minister Imran Khan has talked about.

"We were and continue to be very engaged with the issue between India and Pakistan. I spent a good deal of time on the phone last night talking to leaders in both countries, making sure there was good information exchanged, encouraging each country to not take any action that would escalate and create increased risk," Pompeo said.

US in Constant Touch with India, Pakistan | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday said he had "good conversations" with Indian and Pakistani leaders and was hopeful that the rising tension will come down between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Over the last two days, Pompeo spoke to the leaders of the two countries including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Indian Passengers Stranded in Lahore | After Pakistan suspended the Samjhauta Express services on Wednesday, about 35 Indian passengers have been stranded at Lahore railway station. They are compelled to remain at the Railway Station in waiting and some of their visas will expire by March 2. India called off the biweekly express on Thursday and its services will stop from March 4.

Abhinandan's Parents Leave for Amritsar | Parents of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman have left for Amritsar from Delhi airport on Friday morning. They had reached Delhi airport last night after Pakistan announced the repatriation of the IAF pilot in "gesture of peace". 

Pakistan Violates Ceasefire Along LoC| One civilian was injured on Friday in a ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing towards Indian posts and villages in Kamalkote area of Uri on Thursday evening. The Indian Army has responded to the Pakistani firing in adequate measure.

Encounter Underway | In Jammu and Kashmir, an encounter broke out on Friday between militants and security forces in Kupwara district's Handwara area. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation following information about presence of militants there.

Pak Admits Masood Azhar in Their Soil, But Can't be Arrested Without 'Actionable Evidence' | Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has confirmed CNN that chief of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad Masood Azhar is in Pakistan, but is unwell to an extent that he cannot leave the house. On the question of his arrest, he said, "India needs to give us evidence that is acceptable in the courts of Pakistan after all we will have to justify it in the courts of Pakistan so if they have unalienable evidence share it with us."

UNSC Hopes for Reasonable Dialogue | After world powers weighed in on the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, the UN Security Council has stated that steps shall be taken to placate the situation. As there have been apprehensions that China may veto the Council's move to blacklist JeM chief Masood Azhar, the UNSC said that any move that leads to de-escalation is welcome and reasonable dialogue be held if there is solid evidence.

Cabinet briefing by Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad to begin shortly.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj emplanes for the UAE. She will attend a conclave of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) there as the 'Guest of Honour'.

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 expressed his wish to receive 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.