New Delhi: In a confrontation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday, India launched a sharp condemnation against Pakistan, accusing it of deliberately targeting civilians and brazenly supporting terrorism.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, highlighted Pakistan’s alleged use of civilian spaces as shields for terror operations, presenting a grave picture of cross-border aggression.
During a UNSC session focused on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, Ambassador Harish detailed recent attacks by the Pakistani army on Indian border villages. He reported that these deliberate shellings had resulted in over 20 civilian deaths and more than 80 injuries, specifically noting the intentional targeting of religious sites like gurudwaras and temples, as well as medical facilities. Such actions, he stressed, constituted a “blatant violation of international humanitarian norms”.
Statement by PR @AmbHarishP at the @UN Security Council Open Debate on: Addressing emerging threats, ensuring safety of civilians, humanitarian and UN Personnel, journalists and media professionals and enhancing accountability mechanisms. @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/VOEZ9eMQjU
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) May 23, 2025
Harish explained that these aggressive acts by Pakistan, which included the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and relentless firing, were undertaken as its forces intervened on behalf of terrorists. This intervention occurred after India’s “Operation Sindoor” earlier this month.
Adding more, he said that the Indian Army repelled initial aerial attacks, the subsequent targeting of Indian civilian and residential areas by the Pakistan Army compelled India to retaliate by striking Pakistani military installations.
“There was intentional targeting of places of worship, including gurudwaras and temples, as well as medical facilities,” Harish said.
The Indian envoy further recounted India’s long history of enduring Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attacks, citing the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the recent massacre of tourists in Pahalgam in April 2025.
Harish also severely criticised Islamabad’s consistent glorification of terrorists, pointing to recent instances where senior Pakistani government, police, and military officials paid respects at the funerals of known terrorists. “We just recently saw senior government, police and military officials pay respects at the funeral of noted terrorists.”
“A nation that makes no distinction between terrorists and civilians has no credentials to speak about protecting civilians,” he added.
He issued a stern warning against any manipulation of civilian protection arguments to shield UN-designated terrorists, calling upon the international community to unite in “zero tolerance for terrorism and calling out those who sponsor and defend it.”
“To preach at this body after such behaviour is grossly hypocritical. Let us be clear. Protection of civilians should not serve as an argument for the protection of UN-designated terrorists. The international community must come together on zero tolerance for terrorism and calling out those who sponsor and defend it,” the envoy said.
