Dressing up massacre as military operation does not absolve perpetrator: India on Pakistan at UNSC

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Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Parvathaneni Harish. File | Photo Credit: ANI

India has launched a scathing attack on Pakistan at the UN, condemning its “trade and transit terrorism” and military airstrikes against Afghanistan.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, delivered a sharp attack against Pakistan in the UN Security Council during its meeting on the ‘Situation in Afghanistan’ on Monday (June 8, 2026).

“Pakistan’s campaign of military airstrikes against Afghanistan is causing huge civilian casualties and suffering to the Afghan people... Such unconscionable acts of violence are a blatant assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a threat to the region’s peace and stability,” Mr. Parvathaneni said.

Strongly condemning the airstrikes on Afghan territory, India said these are flagrant violations of international law, the UN Charter and the principle of state sovereignty.

Mr. Parvathaneni cited United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) information to note that 372 civilians have been killed and 397 injured just in the first three months of this year; a large majority of them during the holy month of Ramadan, which is a time of peace, mercy and reflection, making the act all the more reprehensible.

“No faith, no law and no morality can justify such actions,” he said at the UN horseshoe table.

With Pakistan listening, India strongly reiterated that “dressing up a massacre as a military operation does not absolve the perpetrator. Killing, maiming and orphaning civilians is not counter terrorism”.

“Espousing high principles of international law and Islamic solidarity while mercilessly carrying out air strikes during the holy month of Ramadan is the perfect example of hypocrisy,” Mr. Parvathaneni said.

He added that “blaming neighbours for its own failures is an old Pakistani habit. This attempt to hoodwink the world will fail.” India also strongly rejected Pakistan’s directives to start referring