'Record Of Genocidal Acts': India Slams Pakistan Over Terrorism, Afghan Strikes During Ramadan

'Record Of Genocidal Acts': India Slams Pakistan Over Terrorism, Afghan Strikes During Ramadan Published By, Last Updated: May 21, 2026, 09:11 IST India at UNSC accuses Pakistan of genocidal acts, cites UNAMA reports on deadly Afghan airstrikes and 1971 abuses, calls Pak hypocritical and urges zero tolerance for civilian harm A file photo of Harish Parvathaneni (Photo: PTI) India launched a sharp attack on Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accusing Islamabad of having a “long-tainted record of genocidal acts" and alleging that it continues to undermine regional peace through cross-border violence and terrorism. Speaking at the Annual UNSC Open Debate on “Protection of civilians in armed conflict", India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, said it was “ironic" that Pakistan chose to comment on India’s internal matters despite its own record. “It is ironic that Pakistan, with its long-tainted record of genocidal acts, has chosen to refer to issues that are strictly internal to India," Parvathaneni said at the UNSC debate after Pakistan raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. India backed its criticism with references to documentation by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), alleging that Pakistani military action caused large-scale civilian casualties in Afghanistan earlier this year. According to Parvathaneni, UNAMA documented 750 civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan in the first three months of 2026 due to cross-border armed violence allegedly perpetrated by Pakistani forces. He further stated that 94 out of 95 incidents of civilian casualties were attributed to Pakistani security forces. The Indian envoy specifically referred to an alleged Pakistani airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul during Ramadan. He called the attack “barbaric" and “unconscionable", saying the facility could not be justified as a military target. “The world has not forgotten that it was during the holy month of Ramadan in March this year, at a time of peace, reflection, and mercy, that Pakistan conducted a barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul," he said. Parvathaneni added that, according to UNAMA, the attack killed 269 civilians and injured another 122 people. “HYPOCRITICAL" TO SPEAK OF INTERNATIONAL LAW: INDIA India also accused Pakistan of hypocrisy for speaking about international law while allegedly targeting civilians. Referring to the timing of the airstrikes, Parvathaneni said the strikes took place after tarawih prayers when patients were leaving the mosque. “It is hypocritical to espouse high principles of international law while targeting innocent civilians in the dark," he said. India further alleged that Pakistan ignored calls by the UN Secretary-General to uphold international obligations regarding civilian protection and humanitarian principles in Afghanistan. The Indian envoy also raised concerns over displacement caused by cross-border violence, citing UNAMA assessments that more than 94,000 people were displaced due to violence against Afghan civilians. INDIA RECALLS 1971 BANGLADESH LIBERATION WAR In one of the sharpest portions of his remarks, Parvathaneni referred to Pakistan’s actions during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and Operation Searchlight. “During Operation Searchlight in 1971, Pakistan sanctioned the systematic campaign of genocidal mass rape of 400,000 women citizens by its own army," he said. He added that such conduct reflected Pakistan’s “repeated attempts over decades to externalise internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence both within and beyond its borders." INDIA REITERATES STAND ON CIVILIAN PROTECTION Alongside its criticism of Pakistan, India reiterated its broader position on the protection of civilians in conflict zones. India reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Charter and stressed that safeguarding civilians remains central to international peace and security efforts. The Indian envoy said there should be “zero tolerance" for civilian deaths and emphasised that medical personnel and humanitarian workers must be protected at all times. India also raised concerns about the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, in armed conflict, saying their use must comply with international law and humanitarian principles. Concluding his remarks, Parvathaneni said the international community must work collectively to restore respect for international humanitarian law, strengthen accountability and ensure humanitarian access in conflict-hit regions. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 21, 2026, 09:10 IST News india 'Record Of Genocidal Acts': India Slams Pakistan Over Terrorism, Afghan Strikes During Ramadan Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and cons