Pakistan rebuked at UNSC over Pahalgam attack; members reject ‘false flag’ narrative, call missile tests escalatory

Taking a tough stand on Pakistan in a closed-door session on Kashmir, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members on Monday, May 5, rebuked Islamabad over its “false flag” claims following the Pahalgam terror attack, as it raised concerns about the deliberate targeting of tourists ‘based on their religion’, news agency ANI quoted sources as saying.

Condemning the terror attack in Pahalgam and emphasising the need for accountability, the UNSC members expressed concerns over the recent missile tests and nuclear rhetoric by Pakistan, saying they were escalatory factors in deteriorating relationship between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam terror attack.

“UN Security Council members raised tough questions for Pakistan at its informal session…They refused to accept the “false flag” narrative and asked whether LeT was likely to be involved. There was broad condemnation of the terrorist attack and recognition of the need for accountability.” they said.

They further mentioned that some members “brought up targeting of tourists on the basis of their religious faith.” Also Read | Govt to ban social media influencers for anti-national content, flags accounts inciting violence

"Many members expressed concern that Pakistan’s missile tests and nuclear rhetoric were escalatory factors. Pakistan’s efforts to internationalise the situation also failed,” they said, adding that Islamabad has been “advised” by the UNSC members to “sort out the issues bilaterally with India.”

Pakistan on Monday conducted a training launch of a Fatah Series surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 kilometres as part of the ongoing “Exercises Indus”. On Saturday, Pakistan had claimed that it conducted a ‘successful’ training launch of the Abdali Weapon System— a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometres as part of Ex INDUS.

The 15-nation Security Council held deliberations on Monday afternoon amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan after a terror attack in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam that left 26, mostly tourists, dead. There was no official statement published by the UN body following the “closed consultations”.