United Nations : India lampoons Sharif claims, saying Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cannot call devastated air force bases a victory. The statement also warned that India will not bow to nuclear blackmail and will continue targeting terrorists and their sponsors.
“If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangers look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it,” Petal Gahlot, a first secretary at India’s UN Mission, said at the General Assembly. She ridiculed Sharif’s claim: “We have won the war.”
Exercising the right of reply to Sharif’s “absurd theatrics,” she criticized his claims about the conflict and his accusations against India. She declared India maintains zero tolerance for terrorism.
“Where terrorism is concerned, we make no distinction between the terrorists and their sponsors,” Gahlot said. “Both will be held accountable. Nor will we allow terrorism under the cover of nuclear blackmail. India will never bow to such threats.”
She added, “India’s message to the world is clear; there must be zero-tolerance for terrorism.” Gahlot also emphasized that terrorism forms the core of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Recent events show that Islamabad continues to glorify, sponsor, and protect terrorists.
“No degree of drama or lies can conceal the facts,” she said. Pakistan’s role as a state sponsor of terrorism became evident when it shielded the Pakistani-sponsored terror group, The Resistance Front (TRF), from responsibility for the Pahalgam massacre of 26 Hindu and Christian tourists. TRF openly claimed the attack.
On ending the conflict in May, Gahlot said Sharif “advanced a bizarre account.” “The record is clear,” she added, challenging anyone to see the pictures of the devastation. “Till 9 May, Pakistan threatened further attacks. On 10 May, its military directly requested a ceasefire after Indian forces destroyed multiple Pakistani airbases. The pictures of that damage are publicly available.”
Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations, Major General Kashif Abdullah, contacted his Indian counterpart, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, to ask for the ceasefire.
Defending Operation Sindoor, Gahlot said, “Pakistan is responsible for terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in India. We defended our people and brought the organisers to justice.” She added, “A country steeped in exporting terrorism often advances ludicrous narratives to deflect responsibility.”
Gahlot highlighted Indian strikes on Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes and criticized Pakistan’s officials for glorifying terrorists. “Its ministers admitted to operating terrorist camps for decades,” she noted, “and Sharif continues this duplicity.”
She also rebutted Sharif’s claim involving the US President, saying, “India and Pakistan have long agreed to address issues bilaterally. Third parties have no role in our national position.”
–IANS
