Makes no distinction between terrorists, civilians: India shreds Pak at UN

On Friday, India criticized Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council, labeling its involvement in talks about the protection of civilians in conflict areas “an insult to the global community.”

New Delhi criticized Islamabad’s “extremely hypocritical” position, asserting that a stance that cannot differentiate between terrorists and civilians lacks the moral credibility to discuss civilian safety. It also emphasized that the Pakistan Army’s deliberate shelling of Indian border villages earlier this month led to civilian casualties and the intentional targeting of religious sites.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Puri, was speaking at the UNSC Open Debate on “Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict”, which focused on threats to civilians, humanitarian workers, journalists, and UN personnel.

“I am constrained to respond to the baseless allegations of the representative of Pakistan on a number of issues. First, India has experienced decades of Pakistani-sponsored terrorist attacks across our borders,” Ambassador Puri said.

For such a nation to even participate in a discussion on the protection of civilians is an affront to the international community. A nation that makes no distinction between terrorists and civilians has no credentials to speak about protecting civilians,” he added.

Referring to a recent incident, Puri alleged that the Pakistani army had deliberately targeted Indian border villages earlier this month.

“More than 20 civilians were killed and over 80 injured. There was intentional targeting of places of worship — including gurdwaras, temples, and convents — as well as medical facilities. To preach at this body after such behaviour is grossly hypocritical,” he said.

In a strong response, Harish said India has experienced decades of “Pakistani-sponsored terrorist attacks across our borders”.

“This has ranged from the horrific 26/11 attack on the city of Mumbai to the barbaric mass murder of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in April 2025. The victims of Pakistani terrorism have been predominantly civilians, since its objective has been to attack our prosperity, progress and morale. For such a nation to even participate in a discussion on the protection of civilians is an affront to the international community,” Harish said.

He added that Pakistan has repeatedly used civilian cover to advance the cause of terrorism.

“We just recently saw senior government, police and military officials pay respects at the funeral of noted terrorists targeted by Operation Sindoor. A nation that makes no distinction between terrorists and civilians has no credentials to speak about protecting civilians,” he said.