India Slams Pakistan’s Use Of Civilian Cover For Terrorists At UN Debate

India has categorically rejected any attempts to shield Pakistan-based terrorists under the guise of civilian protection, calling out Islamabad’s blatant misuse of international humanitarian principles.

Speaking at a UN Security Council debate on May 24, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador P Harish, declared, “Protection of civilians should not serve as an argument for protection of UN-designated terrorists.”

Ambassador Harish made the remarks in response to Pakistan’s claims that civilians were targeted during India’s cross-border ‘Operation Sindoor’.

He noted that Pakistan has long exploited the civilian label to cover for terrorists, underlining the state’s complicit role in terrorism.

“A nation that makes no distinction between terrorists and civilians has no credentials to speak about protecting civilians,” Harish said.

He added that Pakistan’s hypocrisy was evident when senior officials, including military and police leadership, publicly paid tribute to terrorists killed in ‘Operation Sindoor’.

Among those mourned by Pakistani officials were Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Hafiz Abdur Rauf, a UN-designated terrorist also sanctioned by the US.

Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah, Major General Rao Imran, and Punjab Police Inspector General Usman Anwar attended these funerals, openly reinforcing Pakistan’s deep-rooted terror nexus.

Ambassador Harish also revealed that Pakistan retaliated to the precision strikes in ‘Operation Sindoor’ by shelling Indian border areas, killing over 20 civilians.

“There was intentional targeting of places of worship, including gurudwaras, temples, and convents, as well as medical facilities,” he said, terming Islamabad’s actions as deliberate and in violation of international law.

Calling such conduct ‘grossly hypocritical’, he added, “To preach at this body after such behaviour is indefensible.”

Use Of Human Shields & Violation Of Humanitarian Norms

India also stressed that the use of civilians, especially women and children, as human shields during conflict is a matter of grave concern.

“The international community must take concrete actions towards implementing the Security Council resolutions already in place,” Harish urged.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to international humanitarian law, Ambassador Harish concluded that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain the guiding principle for the Security Council’s civilian protection agenda.

India’s firm stance at the UN signals its growing resolve to expose cross-border terrorism and call out nations that attempt to exploit humanitarian norms to protect terrorists.

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