Pakistan defends Afghanistan strikes, accuses India of backing militants at UN

Pakistan's UN envoy defended cross-border strikes in Afghanistan and accused India of funding militant groups targeting Pakistan at a Security Council meeting

Pakistan's ambassador to the United Nations defended the country's counterterrorism strikes inside Afghanistan and accused India of supporting militant groups operating from Afghan territory at a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on Monday.

Why did Pakistan carry out strikes inside Afghanistan?

Pakistan says its military operations, including strikes conducted in March, targeted terrorist infrastructure inside Afghanistan and not the Afghan population.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the strikes destroyed drone storage facilities, technical support infrastructure, and ammunition depots used to facilitate attacks against Pakistani civilians.

Secondary explosions visible in footage released by Pakistani authorities, he argued, confirmed the sites held ammunition.

What did Pakistan's UN envoy say about India's role in Afghanistan?

Ambassador Asim accused India of using development and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan as cover for policies intended to destabilize Pakistan.

He alleged that India was supporting militant groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army, which Pakistan holds responsible for attacks on its territory. He also criticized India for not condemning attacks carried out by either group.

The envoy accused India of sponsoring terrorism, violating international law, and pursuing hostile policies against neighboring countries. He said recent Pakistani counterterrorism operations had disrupted militant networks operating from Afghan soil.

What did Pakistan say about Afghan Taliban responsibilities?

Speaking in a right of reply to Afghanistan's representative, Ambassador Asim said the Security Council debate had underscored what the international community expects of the Taliban authorities.

Those expectations, he said, include establishing inclusive governance, protecting human rights, particularly for women and girls, and preventing Afghan territory from being used for cross-border terrorism.

What other issues did Pakistan raise at the UN?

Ambassador Asim raised the Indus Waters Treaty, describing India's decision to suspend its implementation as a violation of international law and treaty obligations.

On Jammu and Kashmir, he said India remained in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and alleged that serious human rights abuses were continuing in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Concluding his remarks, the ambassador said Pakistan would continue taking all necessary measures to protect its national security. He urged India to abandon what he described as policies of aggression, subversion, and disinformation against neighboring states.