India has strongly asserted that terrorists operating from Pakistan cannot evade counter-terrorism actions by falsely claiming civilian status.
"Let us be clear: protection of civilians should not serve as an argument for shielding UN-designated terrorists," stated P. Harish, India&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, during a Security Council debate on emerging threats to civilians.
Harish accused Pakistan of consistently exploiting civilian cover to advance terrorism. He dismissed Islamabad&rsquo;s claims that civilians were targeted during India&rsquo;s Operation Sindoor, pointing instead to the overt ties between terrorist groups and the Pakistani government and military.
"A nation that makes no distinction between terrorists and civilians has no credentials to speak about protecting civilians," he emphasized.
He also noted that top Pakistani officials&mdash;including Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah, Major General Rao Imran, and Punjab Police Inspector General Usman Anwar&mdash;were seen publicly paying respects at the funerals of terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor, including Hafiz Abdur Rauf, a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) leader designated as a terrorist by the United States.
Following the targeted strikes, Pakistan responded by deliberately shelling Indian border areas, resulting in the deaths of over 20 civilians. Ambassador Harish further alleged that religious sites such as temples, gurudwaras, and convents, as well as medical facilities, were intentionally targeted.
"To preach to this Council after such conduct is grossly hypocritical," Harish said.
He condemned the use of civilians&mdash;including women and children&mdash;as human shields in military and terrorist operations, calling for decisive international action to enforce existing Security Council resolutions.
India reaffirmed that attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers constitute serious violations of international and humanitarian law. The statement concluded with a reminder that all actions by the Council must be grounded in the principles of the UN Charter, particularly respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states.

At UN, India says Pakistan cannot shield terrorists by mislabeling them as civilians

India Slams Pakistan: Terrorists Not Civilians

At UN, India says Pakistan cannot shield terrorists by mislabeling them as civilians

May 24, 2025 | 09:49 IST