A closed-door session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), convened informally at Pakistan’s request, has sharply undercut Islamabad’s attempts to internationalize the Kashmir issue and promote its “false flag operation” narrative following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Despite Pakistan’s claims of diplomatic success, multiple sources confirm that UNSC members expressed strong concern over terrorism, firmly questioned Islamabad’s version of events, and called for renewed bilateral dialogue with India. Notably, Pakistan’s assertion that India staged the attack—a so-called “false flag operation”—found no support within the Council.
The attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local Kashmiri, was claimed by The Resistance Front, a known proxy of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Council members reportedly pressed Pakistan on the likely involvement of LeT and rejected attempts to shift blame without credible evidence.
“UNSC members asked pointed questions, refused to buy into the ‘false flag’ rhetoric, and instead demanded accountability for the attack,” said one diplomatic source. “There was clear and broad condemnation of the targeting of civilians and recognition of the role played by terrorist groups operating from Pakistani soil.”
The session also addressed Pakistan’s destabilizing missile tests and aggressive nuclear rhetoric, which drew criticism for exacerbating regional instability. Several members emphasized that exploiting religious identity to justify or explain violence was unacceptable.
“There was no traction for Pakistan’s attempt to revive the international spotlight on Kashmir through misinformation,” another source noted. “The overwhelming sentiment was in favour of de-escalation, dialogue, and holding perpetrators of terror to account.”
UN Chief Condemns Attack, Warns Against Escalation
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, addressing the situation on May 5, echoed global concerns, condemning the Pahalgam massacre and urging both countries to exercise maximum restraint.
“I strongly condemn the horrific terror attack on April 22,” Guterres said. “Targeting civilians is utterly unacceptable. Those responsible must face justice through lawful and transparent processes.”
He warned that any military confrontation “could easily spin out of control” and reiterated that there can be no military solution to the conflict. Guterres offered the UN’s good offices to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation. He also lauded India and Pakistan for their continued contributions to UN peacekeeping, expressing regret over deteriorating bilateral ties.
Russia, US Back India’s Stance
Pakistan’s appeal for international intervention—particularly its suggestion for a Russia- or China-led investigation into the Pahalgam incident—suffered a serious blow when Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced unequivocal support for India.
In a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin strongly condemned the terror attack and underscored the importance of bringing those responsible to justice, aligning closely with India’s call for accountability and cross-border counter-terrorism action.
This response came in the wake of Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s remarks implying that India may have staged the attack and proposed an international investigation. However, the Russian rebuttal left little room for ambiguity.
Similarly, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, during a meeting with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 1, condemned the attack as “an affront to humanity” and emphasized that terrorism cannot go unanswered.
Pakistan’s Narrative at Odds with Ground Reality
Despite clear indications of international pushback, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, maintained that Islamabad had achieved its objectives at the UNSC session. He reiterated Pakistan’s call for resolving the Kashmir issue under UN resolutions and highlighted India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it an act of “water aggression.”
“Water is life, not a weapon,” Iftikhar declared, even as international focus remained firmly on the need to curb terrorism and avoid inflammatory rhetoric.
In sum, the UNSC session has not only exposed the hollowness of Pakistan’s false flag narrative but also reaffirmed the global community’s broader concerns about terrorism, regional stability, and the need for constructive engagement between India and Pakistan.
Huma Siddiqui
