UN Security Council Questions Pakistan Over Pahalgam Attack
|2025-05-06
A closed-door meeting of the UNSC was held on Monday afternoon
UN Security Council urges Pakistan to address terror links in Pahalgam attack that killed 26. Members reject attempts to internationalise India tensions.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a closed-door meeting in New York on Monday to address rising tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on 22 April. The attack claimed 26 lives, including tourists and a local guide, and was claimed by The Resistance Front, a group widely believed to be a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant organisation based in Pakistan.
During the hour-long consultation, Security Council members reportedly questioned Pakistan’s role in the attack and raised concerns over Islamabad’s recent nuclear rhetoric and missile tests, which several members viewed as escalating regional instability.
During the hour-long consultation, Security Council members reportedly questioned Pakistan’s role in the attack and raised concerns over Islamabad’s recent nuclear rhetoric and missile tests, which several members viewed as escalating regional instability.
The meeting was convened at Pakistan’s request under Greece’s presidency of the Council for the month of May. Despite Islamabad’s attempt to bring international attention to the broader India-Pakistan dispute, multiple Council members rejected its narrative and instead urged both nations to resolve their issues bilaterally.
According to diplomatic sources cited by news agency ANI and PTI, the Council members condemned the killing of civilians and stressed the importance of accountability. The targeted nature of the attack, which reportedly singled out victims based on religious identity, was highlighted by several envoys as particularly troubling.
Greek Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, who presided over the meeting, described the discussions as “productive and helpful,” while Tunisian diplomat Khaled Mohamed Khiari, speaking on behalf of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations, characterised the situation as “volatile” and called for dialogue.
Pakistan’s Position
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, told reporters that the country’s objectives at the meeting were “largely served.” He reiterated Pakistan’s denial of any involvement in the Pahalgam attack and warned against drawing premature conclusions.
“We do not seek confrontation, but we are fully prepared to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. Ahmad also criticised India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a breach of international law.
Despite Pakistan’s assertions, Council members reportedly refused to accept Islamabad’s claims that the Pahalgam attack was a "false flag" operation staged by India. Instead, emphasis was placed on the need for credible investigations and justice for the victims.
India’s Response and Escalation
The Indian government responded swiftly to the Pahalgam attack, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a decades-old water-sharing agreement between the two nations, and revoking visas issued to Pakistani nationals. These actions were seen as an effort to increase diplomatic pressure on Islamabad.
Meanwhile, tensions have continued to rise along the Line of Control (LoC), with Indian officials accusing Pakistani forces of unprovoked firing for 12 consecutive nights in the border regions of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army has stated that it has responded proportionately to the ceasefire violations.
No official statement has been released by the Government of India or the Security Council following the meeting, but Indian media reports suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding regular consultations with senior defence and security officials to assess the situation and consider further responses.
UN Leadership Urges Restraint
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the Pahalgam attack, describing it as an assault on innocent civilians. “Targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means,” he said.
While calling for restraint and dialogue, Guterres also emphasised that “a military solution is not a solution” and urged both countries to step back from the brink. His remarks reflect longstanding UN policy on India-Pakistan tensions but were met with scepticism in New Delhi, where officials have accused the UN leadership of failing to adequately condemn cross-border terrorism in the past.
Context
The Pahalgam attack is the deadliest in the region in years and has revived longstanding concerns about terrorism emanating from Pakistani territory. Lashkar-e-Taiba, designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations, has been linked to numerous attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed over 170 people.
The diplomatic rift between India and Pakistan deepened after India’s 2019 decision to revoke Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan strongly opposed the move and has since intensified efforts to raise the issue in international forums, including the United Nations.
Monday’s UNSC meeting marked another flashpoint in the strained relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. While the Council refrained from issuing a formal statement, its clear rejection of Pakistan’s position and its emphasis on de-escalation suggest a cautious but firm stance by the international community.
Looking Ahead
With tensions running high, observers say the coming weeks will be critical. While international calls for restraint continue, both India and Pakistan appear to be recalibrating their strategic approaches. The Security Council’s emphasis on accountability and bilateral dialogue signals that while international engagement remains limited, the global community is closely watching the situation.
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