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UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday strongly condemned the suicide bombing in Swat last week, calling it a “heinous and cowardly” terrorist attack after Pakistan warned the body that multiple terrorist groups continue to operate from safe havens inside Afghanistan.

Coverage Comparison

The UNSC’s condemnation came in a press statement issued by the Office of the UN secretary general’s spokesperson. The council said it condemned “in the strongest terms” the suicide attack outside a police station in Swat’s Kabal on Aug 2. The statement noted that the attack, claimed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), resulted in the deaths of at least 16 Pakistani nationals, mostly civilians, and injuries to dozens of others.

The council expressed solidarity with Pakistan, offering “deepest sympathy and condolences” to the victims’ families and to the government and people of Pakistan, and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. It reaffirmed its longstanding position that terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.”

The UNSC also stressed the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of such acts accountable and bring them to justice. It urged all UN member states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UNSC resolutions, to cooperate actively with the government of Pakistan. The council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, addressed the council on Wednesday, informing it that multiple terrorist groups continued to operate from safe havens inside Afghanistan, posing a growing threat to regional security. His remarks came at a UNSC briefing on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Key Claims

  • The UNSC condemned the suicide bombing in Swat, calling it a “heinous and cowardly” terrorist attack.
  • At least 16 Pakistani nationals were killed, mostly civilians, and dozens of others were injured in the attack.
  • The TTP claimed responsibility for the bombing.
  • The UNSC expressed solidarity with Pakistan and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
  • Pakistan warned the UNSC about terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
  • Pakistan’s ambassador also raised Islamabad’s concerns over Jammu and Kashmir, referring to India’s August 5, 2019, decision to revoke the region’s special constitutional status.
  • He accused India of committing “state terrorism” in Kashmir and said the international community must show “zero tolerance” for such actions.
  • The UN remarks followed the fourth US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue held in Washington on Tuesday, where both countries reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorist organisations.

Perspectives

Pakistan’s perspective

Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, described India’s 2019 actions in Kashmir as a new phase of repression and accused India of state terrorism. He said the international community must not allow counterterrorism efforts to be used as a pretext to suppress what Pakistan describes as legitimate struggles for self-determination.

UNSC’s position

The UNSC, through its press statement, condemned the Swat attack in the strongest terms and underlined the need to hold perpetrators accountable. It reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security and urged all member states to cooperate with Pakistan.

TTP’s claim

The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, a fact acknowledged in the UNSC statement.