Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has expressed the hope that Pakistan and India will show restraint and take a step back to "think about the catastrophic consequences that would follow a war".

Taking to Twitter, she noted that Pakistan has expressed its willingness to crack down on terrorism and initiate a dialogue with India.

She said "perhaps the best gesture to gain India's trust at this point" for Islamabad would be to ensure the safe return of the Indian pilot captured by the Pakistan Army.