Pakistan's 'heinous acts' of aggression no surprise from country bombing its own people: India at UN

India highlighted Afghan civilian deaths and injuries caused by crossborder violence by Pakistani military forces saying such heinous acts of aggression should not come as a surprise from a country that bombs its own people and conducts systematic genocideIn a strong retort at the UN Security Council on Wednesday India called out Pakistans longtainted record of genocidal acts after Islamabads envoy at the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during a debate held during Chinas presidency of the Council for MayIt is ironic that Pakistan with its longtainted record of genocidal acts has chosen to refer to issues that are strictly internal to India Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni said at the annual UNSC Open Debate on Protection of civilians in armed conflictHe referred to estimates by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan which documented 750 civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan in the first three months of 2026 due to crossborder armed violence by Pakistani military forces most of them resulting from air strikesAccording to UNAMA 94 of the 95 incidents involving civilian casualties were attributed to Pakistani security forcesParvathaneni said the world has not forgotten that during the holy month of Ramzan in March Pakistan carried out a barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in KabulCiting UNAMA estimates he said the cowardly and unconscionable act of violence killed 269 civilians and injured 122 others at the facility that by no means can be justified as a military target It is hypocritical to espouse high principles of international law while targeting innocent civilians in the dark the Indian envoy saidParvathaneni further said the strikes were carried out after tarawih evening prayers when several patients were leaving the mosque He also cited UNAMA estimates that more than 94000 people were displaced due to crossborder armed violence against Afghan civilians But such heinous acts of aggression by Pakistan should not come as a surprise from a country that bombs its own people and conducts systematic genocide he said recalling Operation Searchlight in 1971 when Islamabad had sanctioned the systematic campaign of genocidal mass rape of 400000 women in former East Pakistan now Bangladesh by its own armySuch inhuman conduct reflects Pakistans repeated attempts over decades to externalise internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence both within and beyond its borders With no faith no law and no morality the world can see through Pakistans propaganda Parvathaneni saidHe said Pakistan ignored the call by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urging member states to uphold international obligations relating to the protection of civilians including the principle of nonrefoulement in the context of AfghanistanIndia also voiced concern over the persistent threat posed by crossborder terrorism which it said continues to undermine regional peace stability and international security India has been a victim of such form of terrorism for decades States that sponsor shelter or support terrorism must be held accountable Parvathaneni said making a clear reference to PakistanHe stressed that India has consistently emphasised that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remains one of the gravest threats to civilians worldwide No cause or grievance can justify deliberate attacks against civilians the envoy saidParvathaneni said as highlighted in the UNSGs report the use of missiles bombs and other explosive weapons in cities and populated areas remains a major cause of civilian harm The growing trend of use of drones to deploy explosive weapons in urban areas is especially concerning The use of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems by parties to conflict must be in conformity with international law and humanitarian principles he said adding that safeguards must be in place to prevent misuse and unintended harm to civiliansProtection of civilians cannot be achieved through humanitarian responses alone The targeted use of violence against civilians to achieve political objectives including terrorism must be addressed comprehensively the envoy saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever