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Flight Lieutenant Nachiketa may arrive today

Flight Lieutenant K Nachiketa may arrive in India today.

Indian Air Force sources said that his travel arrangements were being worked. ''In case we are unable to complete the formalities today, he will arrive tomorrow,'' they said.

The sources said the fighter pilot would have to take a commercial flight as no IAF plane could fly to Pakistan in the present situation.

He was released yesterday by Pakistan as a gesture of "goodwill". He was earlier classified a prisoner of war.

Flt Lt Nachiketa was handed over to the International Red Cross, state-run Pakistan Television reported. The Red Cross was to bring him to the Indian high commission in Islamabad.

At a news conference earlier today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief said the return of the pilot was indicative of his willingness "to go that extra mile".

"In order to demonstrate our goodwill and in keeping with the Islamic traditions, I have ordered the immediate release of Flight Lieutenant Nachiketa," he said.

AP

EARLIER REPORTS:
Diplomatic efforts on to free Nachiketa: PM
Nachiketa's sister to meet President
Pakistan parades Flt Lt Nachiketa on TV
IAF clueless about missing pilots
'An unprovoked act of hostility'
Two aircraft shot down

The Kargil Crisis

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