UNSC condemns Balochistan attacks

UNITED NATIONS:

The UN Security Council members on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest terms" the recent deadly terrorist attacks across multiple locations in Pakistan's Balochistan province, and called for bringing the perpetrators to justice.

In press statement released at UN Headquarters in New York, the 15-member Council said, "This reprehensible act of terrorism resulted in the grievous loss of 48 Pakistani nationals, including 31 civilians", including five women and three children.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for these terrorist attacks, the statement said, describing them as "heinous and cowardly."

The Council's statement on the escalating terrorist attacks against Pakistan was issued by UK's Charge A'affaires, James Kariuki, the current Council president.

"The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and the people of Pakistan, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured," it said, reaffirming that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Pakistan in this regard," the statement added.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

They reaffirmed 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."

More than 250 people have been killed in coordinated attacks launched by India-sponsored terrorists across Balochistan since Saturday, a security official said on Wednesday.

A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP on Wednesday that "197 terrorists have been killed in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations".

He added that at least 36 civilians and 22 security personnel were killed during the coordinated attacks in restive Balochistan.

The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement sent to AFP.

Meanwhile, Pakistan urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to move swiftly to designate the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a terrorist organisation under its sanctions regime, saying the listing request was already under consideration by the council.

"We hope the council will act swiftly to designate BLA under the 1267 sanctions regime, acceding to the listing request that is currently under consideration," Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, told a UNSC briefing on 'Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Terrorist Acts'.

In his remarks, the envoy thanked UNSC members for issuing a press statement condemning the recent attacks in Balochistan and expressed appreciation for what he described as an international "outpouring of support and solidarity with Pakistan".

"We remain resolute in eliminating this externally sponsored scourge from our soil and exposing the sponsors, financiers, aiders and abettors sitting across our borders," Ambassador Ahmad said.

Ambassador Ahmad said Pakistan had paid a heavy price in the global fight against terrorism.

"As a frontline state in the global counterterrorism effort, we have sacrificed blood and treasure — with more than 90,000 casualties and staggering economic losses over the years," he said.

Recalling Pakistan's role in earlier counterterrorism efforts, he said the Al Qaeda "core" was "largely decimated in Afghanistan due to Pakistan's instrumental efforts," adding that Pakistan had also played a leading role in combating the militant Islamic State group's regional affiliate.

However, Ambassador Ahmad warned that the security situation had deteriorated in recent years, particularly after the Taliban takeover of Kabul.

"Externally sponsored and foreign-funded proxy terrorist groups such as Fitna al Khawarij TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Fitna al Hindustan BLA and its Majeed Brigade have got a new lease of life," he said.

"Operating with virtual impunity from Afghan soil and with the active support of our eastern neighbour, these groups are responsible for heinous terrorist attacks inside Pakistan."

Referring to the latest violence in Balochistan, he said the BLA had claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks across multiple locations.

"Just this weekend, BLA claimed responsibility for a series of terrorist attacks across multiple locations in Balochistan Province that resulted in the martyrdom of 48 innocent civilians, including five women and three children," he said, adding that "145 BLA terrorists were neutralised during the effective riposte by our valiant security forces".