UN Security Council condemns Pahalgam attack, call for accountability

The UN Security Council has “strongly condemned” the militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed at least 26 tourists and left many more injured, calling for accountability and international cooperation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a press statement issued on Friday, Council members expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Governments of India and Nepal. One of the victims was a Nepalese national.

They also extended wishes for a speedy and full recovery to those injured in Tuesday’s attack.

“Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” the ambassadors reaffirmed. They underscored that such acts are “criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”

They stressed that the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors must be held accountable and brought to justice.

They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities.

Ambassadors reaffirmed the need for States to “combat by all means” threats to international peace and security resulting from acts of violence, in accordance with the UN Charter and other obligations under international law.

Meanwhile, the UN continues to follow the situation in the region “with very deep concern”, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

“We again urge both the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint to ensure the situation does not deteriorate further,” he said during the regular news briefing in New York on Friday.

Although India has not made a public statement on what happened in Pahalgam or shown any evidence of Pakistan’s involvement, India said it would immediately suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan as part of measures to downgrade diplomatic ties with its neighbour. Pakistan retaliated with similar steps against India, and also threatened to suspend its participation in all bilateral agreements between the two, including the 1972 Simla Agreement.