ISLAMABAD, June 5: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called on India to show good faith by responding to Pakistan's offer of peace talks to cool the conflict in Kashmir, party officials said Saturday reports AFP.

Sharif said Pakistan has "proved its sincerity" in trying to settle issues through negotiations with India and he pointed to the release of a captured Indian fighter pilot in a "goodwill gesture".

"It is now India's turn to respond to defuse the situation by halting massive Shelling on the Line of Control (LoC).’’ he told members of the National Assembly (lower house) overnight.

The border crisis was aggravated last month after India launched a military operation against guerillas holding strategic heights in the Kargil and Drass sectors on the Indian side of Kashmir.

The Indian air force Joined the operation by launching air strikes in Ute Kargil area. Pakistan said it shot down two Indian MiG fighter aircraft on May 27.

Sharif on Thursday ordered the release of Flight Lieutenant K. Nachiketa who was captured after his aircraft was downed.

Last week he spoke to Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and proposed to send Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz to New Delhi for talks on de-escalating the situation.

Aziz said he was ready to travel to New Delhi on Monday if India agreed. But sources said no official confirmation from India had been received so far.

Sharif said India must realise there was "no alternative" to the right of self-determination for Kashmiris. "The sooner it is allowed to the Kashmiris, the better would it be." he told MPs.