Members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) raised pointed questions to Pakistan during an informal, closed-door session on Monday, sources in New York told ANI.
The consultation, convened at Pakistan’s request, came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. Although no official statement was released after the meeting, sources revealed that the 15-member Council did not accept Pakistan’s “false flag” narrative and pressed Islamabad for answers on the possible involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba—a proscribed terrorist organisation with long-standing ties to Pakistan—in the attack.
According to sources cited by ANI, the UNSC broadly condemned the Pulwama attack and emphasized the need for accountability. Some members also highlighted concerns over the targeting of tourists based on religious identity.
Pakistan’s recent missile activities drew further concern. Several Council members warned that missile tests and inflammatory nuclear rhetoric could dangerously escalate regional tensions. On Monday, Pakistan conducted a training launch of a Fatah-series surface-to-surface missile, with a range of 120 kilometres, as part of its ongoing “Exercises Indus.”
Pakistan’s attempt to internationalize the crisis appeared to falter. Council members reportedly urged Islamabad to resolve issues bilaterally with New Delhi.
In a related development, Dawn News reported a dramatic decline in water flow from India into Pakistan’s Chenab River. Flow rates at the Marala headworks dropped from 35,000 cusecs on Sunday to around 3,100 cusecs on Monday. The Chenab is a crucial source for Pakistan’s irrigation network in Punjab. The drop comes in the wake of India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pulwama attack.
Pakistan also faced another diplomatic setback as Lufthansa Airlines suspended operations through Pakistani airspace. The German aviation group cited operational concerns, according to an official release.
Earlier, the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), closing Indian airspace to all Pakistani-registered, operated, or leased aircraft—including military flights—from April 30 to May 23.
(With inputs from ANI)