United Nations/New Delhi: The UN Security Council discussed the rising tensions between India and Pakistan at close-door consultations yesterday, during which the members refused to accept the “false flag” narrative peddled by Pakistan and asked whether the Lashkar-e-Taiba was likely to be involved in the Pahalgam terror attack.
The UNSC members, at the informal meeting proposed by Islamabad, “raised tough questions” for Pakistan. They condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and criticised Pakistan’s escalatory missile tests and nuclear rhetoric, according to sources.
They asked Pakistan to resolve the issues with India bilaterally, the sources added.
“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 were advised to resolve issues bilaterally with India,” the sources said.
“There was broad condemnation of the terrorist attack and recognition of the need for accountability. Some members specifically brought up the targeting of tourists on the basis of their religious faith,” the sources added, referring to the Pahalgam terror attack by Islamist terrorists.
“UN Security Council members raised tough questions for Pakistan at its informal session today.
“They refused to accept the false flag narrative by Pakistan and asked whether the LeT was likely to be involved.”
“There was broad condemnation of the terrorist attack and recognition of the need for accountability,” the sources said.
Greece, president of the UNSC for the month of May, had scheduled the meeting on Monday on a request by Pakistan, which is currently a non-permanent member.
No statement was issued after the meeting.
Notably, Pakistan has test-fired two ballistic missiles in the past one week, and its Information Minister as well as Defence Minister have been issuing escalatory statements, including that India is likely to launch an attack on Pakistan very soon.
The Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 tourists were brutally gunned down by Islamist terrorists with links to Pakistan, has led to bitterness in ties between the two nations. India has taken retaliatory steps, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari border post, sending back Pakistani nationals, shutting all trade links, direct and indirect, with Pakistan as well as postal links, and downsizing the Pakistani HC in India as well as its own in Islamabad.
Pakistan, in return, has shut its airspace for Indian aircraft, suspended the Shimla accord, closed the Wagah border, and its forces have resumed firing at Indian positions daily.
