United Nations, May 6 – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members strongly criticised Pakistan in a closed-door consultation over last month’s deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, expressing concerns about the alleged involvement of Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, according to sources cited by Indian news agency ANI.
The April 22 attack in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir killed 25 Indian tourists and a local pony ride operator. The UNSC condemned the violence and questioned Islamabad over what several members said were credible indications of Lashkar-e-Taiba’s role in the assault.
Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the 15-nation Council, had requested the meeting amid rising tensions with India. The consultations, held under Greece’s presidency of the Council, lasted over an hour.
Diplomats present said members expressed concern over what they called Pakistan’s “escalatory” actions, including recent missile tests and its nuclear rhetoric. Efforts by Islamabad to internationalise the dispute reportedly fell flat, with multiple countries urging Pakistan to resolve differences with India through bilateral dialogue.
Several Council members reportedly dismissed Pakistan’s assertion that the attack was a “false flag” operation orchestrated by India. Instead, they emphasised the need for accountability, particularly as the attack appeared to have targeted victims based on their religion.
No official statement was released by the Council, and the Indian government has yet to respond publicly. Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, rejected all allegations of involvement and described India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a breach of international law.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres earlier condemned the Pahalgam attack, calling the targeting of civilians “unacceptable.” He urged both sides to show restraint and warned that a military solution was not viable. Greek envoy Evangelos Sekeris, the current UNSC President, called the discussions “productive and helpful.” A Russian diplomat added, “We hope for de-escalation.”
