UNSC condemns Pulwama attack, names Jaish but skips Masood Azhar; China opposes

In a statement on the Pulwama terror attack on CRPF convoy, the United Nations Security Council has condemned the suicide bombing in which over 40 security personnel were killed. The UNSC also named Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which claimed the responsibility of the attack, however, it didn’t mention JeM chief Masood Azhar. Notably, Pakistan’s dearest China made its best efforts to stall it.

In the statement the security council said the “UN Security Council in the strongest terms condemns 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."

The statement also says, "all states must, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, cooperate actively with the Government of India and all other relevant authorities in this regard."

According to media reports, China repeadtedly tried to block the UNSC statement from being issued. The reports say that China ‘in any way’ did not want a reference to Jaish-e-Mohammed and wanted a reference as "India-administered Kashmir".

"The members of the Security Council reaffirm that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," the statement added.

"The UNSC reiterates that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirm 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, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts," the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, after Pulwama attack, without making any reference to Pakistan or JeM and its chief, China had expressed "deep sympathies" to the families of the 40 CRPF personnel. The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had said that his country "resolutely opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism" to Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in its condolence message.

Also read: Pakistan bans 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s Jamat-ut-Dawa