Pakistan released an Indian army helicopter just hours after it strayed across the tense border between the two countries on Sunday, officials said, underscoring a desire by the old rivals to avoid any crisis as they try to improve ties.
The military had forced the Indian helicopter to land and detained four Indian army officials after it intruded into its territory in Olding sector in northern Skardu region near the border. But it was released after senior military officials from both sides spoke on a hotline. "The helicopter and four officers on board returned around 5.30 pm (1230 GMT) after a contact between the director-general military operations of the two countries," military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas said.
The Indian defence ministry said the helicopter had returned to Kargil in occupied Kashmir. "The issue has been resolved," the ministry spokesman, Sitanshu Kar, said.
Indian officials said the helicopter strayed into Pakistani territory because of bad weather.
"The swift release of the helicopter shows both countries do not want to derail the peace process. Otherwise it could have turned into a major crisis," security analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi said.
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