UN Security Council's Tough Questions to Pakistan Over Jammu & Kashmir Attack, Demands Accountability

UN Security Council's Tough Questions to Pakistan Over Jammu & Kashmir Attack, Demands Accountability

New Delhi, May 6, 2025 — The recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 Indian civilians dead and dozens injured has reignited tensions between India and Pakistan and attracted international attention. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has taken a firm stance on the matter, raising tough questions to Pakistan regarding its alleged involvement and demanding full accountability. This marks one of the most direct and assertive interventions by the UNSC in South Asia's ongoing conflict in recent years.

The Attack That Shook the Region

On April 22, 2025, gunmen armed with automatic weapons and grenades launched a coordinated assault on a group of Hindu pilgrims and tourists in the Pahalgam area of South Kashmir. The attackers, disguised in Indian military fatigues, opened fire indiscriminately before escaping into nearby forested hills. The attack resulted in 26 civilian deaths and left at least 17 people critically injured.

The tragedy sparked widespread condemnation across India and prompted a high-level security alert throughout the country. Political leaders from across party lines expressed their outrage and support for the victims, while the Indian government promised swift and decisive action.

India’s Strong Response at the United Nations

India wasted no time in internationalizing the issue. At an emergency session of the UN Security Council, Indian Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, presented compelling evidence suggesting that the attack was orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror outfits, with the alleged support of Pakistan's intelligence services.

"This attack was not an isolated incident; it was a calculated act of cross-border terrorism facilitated by those who continue to provide safe havens to internationally proscribed terrorist entities," Harish said. He further accused Pakistan of harboring more than 20 terrorist groups listed by the United Nations and cited previous attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, as precedents of Pakistan's ongoing role in regional destabilization.

Pakistan Denies Allegations, Cites Kashmir Dispute

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Ishaq Dar rejected India’s accusations, calling them "baseless and politically motivated." Dar reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position that it supports only diplomatic and peaceful resolutions to the Kashmir dispute.

"The root cause of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir lies in the denial of the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination," Dar told the Security Council. He urged the international community to intervene in what Pakistan describes as Indian human rights violations in the region.

However, the Pakistani delegation failed to convincingly address the questions raised by UNSC members regarding its internal counter-terror mechanisms and the freedom with which designated terror groups operate from its territory.

UNSC's Unprecedented Tone: Tough Questions and a Call for Action

Diplomatic sources indicate that this UNSC session marked a significant departure from past discussions. Several permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council voiced serious concerns over Pakistan’s perceived inaction against terror outfits operating within its borders.

The United States, France, and the United Kingdom supported India’s call for an impartial international investigation and urged Pakistan to bring the perpetrators to justice. Russia, while traditionally cautious in regional conflicts, acknowledged the legitimacy of India’s concerns and condemned the attack unequivocally.

China, a long-time ally of Pakistan, maintained a more reserved stance but did not block the Security Council's joint statement, which is being interpreted as a softening of Beijing’s previously staunch position.

The International Community Reacts

Beyond the UN, several global leaders have expressed their solidarity with India. The President of the United States, the Prime Ministers of the UK and Australia, and the European Union’s foreign policy chief have all condemned the attack in strong terms and emphasized the need for coordinated international efforts to combat terrorism.

Many international human rights organizations and policy think tanks have called for a reassessment of Pakistan’s commitments to counter-terrorism under international conventions and UN resolutions.

Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Escalation

The attack has had immediate and far-reaching diplomatic consequences. India has expelled several Pakistani diplomats citing “unfriendly activities,” while Pakistan has retaliated by reducing its diplomatic presence in New Delhi.

Moreover, both countries have tightened security along the Line of Control (LoC), with increased troop deployments and reports of sporadic cross-border firing. Intelligence agencies warn of the possibility of retaliatory strikes and a full-scale diplomatic freeze.

India has also reviewed and suspended certain clauses of the Indus Waters Treaty, a move seen as a diplomatic signal to Islamabad. Economic cooperation between the two countries has come to a virtual halt, with bilateral trade reaching its lowest levels in over a decade.

India’s Domestic Measures

Following the attack, Indian authorities launched a massive counter-insurgency operation in Kashmir. Security forces have detained over 200 suspects and intensified surveillance across sensitive regions. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also initiated a comprehensive review of internal security protocols, particularly in areas frequented by tourists and pilgrims.

In addition, the Indian government has proposed the establishment of a National Anti-Terror Tribunal with cross-border jurisdiction capabilities and is pushing for a regional anti-terror alliance comprising South Asian nations.

Pakistan’s International Standing at Risk

Experts believe that Pakistan’s failure to convincingly address the allegations could jeopardize its international standing. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which had previously placed Pakistan on a grey list for terror financing, may reopen its scrutiny.

There are growing voices within international circles calling for economic sanctions, suspension of military aid, and greater oversight of financial transactions involving Pakistan.

The Way Forward: Dialogue or Deadlock?

While tensions are high, some diplomats and peace advocates are pushing for re-engagement through back-channel diplomacy. Countries like Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates have offered to mediate between India and Pakistan to prevent further escalation.

The United Nations has offered to send a fact-finding mission to investigate the attack, but India has insisted that its sovereignty must be respected and that the matter pertains to its internal security.

India has, however, called on Pakistan to prove its sincerity by taking visible action against terrorist groups. Until then, India maintains that no meaningful dialogue can take place.

Conclusion

The Jammu and Kashmir attack has not only strained India-Pakistan relations but has also thrust the issue of cross-border terrorism into the global spotlight. The UN Security Council’s unusually stern tone and direct questioning of Pakistan signal a shift in the international community’s approach to South Asia’s security dynamics.

As the world watches, the onus now lies on Pakistan to take tangible steps to dismantle the terror infrastructure within its borders. For India, this incident has reinforced its resolve to seek justice and security for its citizens, both through domestic measures and international pressure.

What happens next will likely redefine regional geopolitics for years to come.