UNSC statement on Pulwama mounts further pressure on Pakistan, says India

New Delhi/United Nations, Feb 22: India welcomed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) statement on Pulwama terror attack and said that Pakistan has come "under international pressure to act against terrorists and terror groups" operating in that country.

"UNSC strongly condemns cowardly suicide bombing in Pulwama by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

"Pakistan comes under international pressure to act against terrorists and terror groups operating from areas under its control & to take action against those responsible for Pulwama attack," he said.
In a statement, the UNSC said that - "The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice".

They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, "to cooperate actively with the Government of India and all other relevant authorities in this regard", - a statement seen as an indirect jibe at Pakistan.

The statement from the powerful global body including China has condemned in the "strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in over 40 Indian paramilitary forces dead and dozens wounded on February 14, 2019, for which Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility."

Meanwhile it is learnt that India's strategic partner France, which initiated the move, will also move a resolution seeking ban on Masood Azhar-run JeM.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law....," the statement said.