Defusing a Calibrated Clash, Pakistan Releases Indian Pilot
Nuclear rivals keep confrontation limited while intensifying retaliatory strikes
Pakistan released a captured Indian fighter pilot on Friday, aiming to end a cycle of retaliatory attacks that brought the nuclear-armed foes close to war and could set a precedent for future clashes.
Wing Cmdr. Abhinandan Varthaman was released at the border and walked into India in a dramatic evening handover that was broadcast on television in both countries. His release lowered the immediate tensions caused by several days of back-and-forth airstrikes and his capture.
“Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan!” tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose political fortunes were staked on his government’s handling of the crisis just weeks before a general election that will determine whether he gets a second term.
Read the full article in The Wall Street Journal.