Imran Khan blamed India's ruling BJP for "whipping up war hysteria" over claims that India shot down a Pakistani F-16 during a standoff in February, saying the truth is always the best policy.

The nuclear-armed countries' militaries remain on alert nearly three weeks after their most dangerous confrontation in decades.

China prevented a United Nations Security Council committee on Wednesday from blacklisting the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed has been at the centre of recent tensions between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan has long used Islamist groups to pursue its aims in the region, but it has denied New Delhi's accusations it actively supports militants fighting Indian forces in Kashmir.

Previous vows by the Pakistan government to crack down on anti-India militant groups have largely come to nothing, with militant leaders living freely in Pakistan.

Pakistan's foreign affairs minister has appeared to admit that his government is in contact with Jaish-e-Mohammed, which India alleges is harboured by Pakistan's intelligence agency.

India has vowed to avenge a suicide bombing in Kashmir, which has been attributed to the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan called for talks with India and hoped “better sense” would prevail so that both sides could de-escalate.

India says it ventured into Pakistan's airspace to strike at militants who claimed responsibility for killing dozens of police in Kashmir.