Is LeT involved? UNSC slams Pakistan over Pahalgam attack
The council members condemned Pahalgam massacre and highlighted the need for accountability; they also raised concerns over Pakistan's nuclear threats
UN Security Council members denounced the terrorist massacre at Pahalgam as they came down heavily on Pakistan at a close-door meet that was sought by Islamabad to score brownie points over India.
Some of the members demanded to know from Islamabad's representative if Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was involved in the April 22 bloodbath.
LeT link to Pahalgam?
The terror attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, which is known to be affiliated to the LeT.
"The UN Security Council members raised tough questions for Pakistan at its informal session. It was advised to sort out the issues bilaterally with India," PTI quoted an Indian source as saying.
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Pakistan itself is one of the 10 non-permanent members of the council. Its other members include the veto-wielding permanent five, Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia.
The massacre
A bunch of terrorists, who India says were Pakistanis, shot dead 25 tourists, all Hindu males from other parts of India, and a Kashmiri pony ride operator who was a Muslim at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
The council members refused to accept Pakistan’s “false flag” narrative on Pahalgam and asked it to sort out its issues bilaterally with India.
All of them condemned the Pahalgam massacre and highlighted the need for accountability.
Pakistan’s nuclear threat
Pakistan also came under attack for threatening nuclear retaliation and over its missile tests.
Although no official statement was issued after the meeting by the Security Council, Pakistani envoy Asim Iftikhar reiterated that Islamabad was not involved in the terror attack.
Also read: Pak minister’s confession on terror exposes country as rogue state: India at UN
He called India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty – one of the retaliatory steps taken by New Delhi following the Pahalgam killings – a violation of international law.
UN chief on Pahalgam
Ahead of the talks, UN chief Antonio Guterres said "a military solution is not a solution" and urged both countries to show maximum restraint and "step back from the brink".
He too condemned the Pahalgam killings. "Targeting civilians is unacceptable, and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means," he said.