UNSC Strongly Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack, Calls for Accountability

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a "reprehensible act of terrorism" and demanding that those responsible be held accountable.

In a press statement released on Friday, the 15-member Council said it "condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir" on April 22, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people and left many more injured.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice," the statement read.

The Council also urged all nations to cooperate with relevant authorities in line with their obligations under international law and existing Security Council resolutions.

"They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard," the Council said.

France, which currently holds the presidency of the Security Council for April, issued the statement through Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont, the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

It is understood that the United States initiated the draft of the press statement, which was then discussed and agreed upon by all Council members. Such statements require unanimous approval and are the outcome of a negotiated process.

Pakistan, a current non-permanent member of the Council, was also part of this consensus.

The Council expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of India and Nepal. It also conveyed wishes for a swift and full recovery to those injured.

In the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, among the 26 victims were 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, most of whom were tourists from various parts of India.

The statement reaffirmed the Council’s longstanding position that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. "Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomever committed," the Council reiterated.

It further stressed the necessity for all States to combat terrorist threats by all means, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law, including human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law.​