'Monsters created by Pakistan now haunt it': India slams Islamabad at UN

India hit back at Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing Islamabad of using the international forum to build narratives while failing to confront terrorism and extremist groups operating from its territory. Speaking at the UN General Assembly's Sixth Committee, India's First Secretary Raghoo Puri said Pakistan had long portrayed itself as both a victim and a frontline state in the fight against terrorism. "Pakistan has presented itself as a frontline state in combating terrorism and as a victim, while masking the fact that the Frankenstein's (monster) the Pakistani state has created and lost control over have moved from wreaking havoc in neighbouring countries to doing the same in Pakistan," Puri said. "This was exposed recently by a provincial chief minister of Pakistan, and may I jog the memory of colleagues to an interview in 2018 by her father and former prime minister of Pakistan, exposing this dark secret," he added. Puri was responding to remarks by Pakistan's Deputy Permanent Representative Usman Jadoon during the committee proceedings. 'Bombed-out airfields' are not victory Puri also rejected Pakistan's claims about the outcome of Operation Sindoor, India's military action following the Pahalgam terror attack. "If bombed-out airfields and cratered runways look like victory to Pakistan, they are, of course, welcome to enjoy it," he said, accusing Islamabad of continuing to push what he described as a campaign of misinformation and psychological warfare. After another intervention by the Pakistani delegation, Puri said: "Pakistan believes in the circular economy of words and narratives." "If this much effort had actually been made in countering terrorism rather than narrative building, misinformation, and disinformation, the world would have been a better place," he added. "But nothing more can be expected from a Form 47 government," Puri said, referring to Pakistan's political system and electoral controversies. 'Pahalgam victims were asked about their religion' Puri also criticised Pakistan over its references to religious hatred and minority rights, pointing to the circumstances of the Pahalgam attack. "The victims in Pahalgam were not asked about their political orientation; they were asked about their religion," he said. "It is therefore deeply ironic that Pakistan speaks of combating religious hatred while allowing the conditions that enable it to persist and thrive, especially by fomenting cross-border terrorism," he added. India raises Masood Azhar issue Puri also questioned Pakistan's announcement of an increased reward for information leading to the arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, who is listed by the UN as a terrorist. "Pakistan glosses over its state support for terrorism by announcing enhanced rewards for apprehending UN-listed head of Jaish-e-Mohammed, terrorist and mastermind of several attacks against my country," he said. "When the media can reach Masood Azhar and get confirmation from him about the success of Operation Sindoor, surely the Pakistani state knows his whereabouts," Puri added. "Just a few months ago, Pakistani representatives used this forum to call the Jaish-e-Mohammed a defunct organisation," Puri said. "The world has seen the script play earlier, and we are clear-eyed that this time also it is going to be no different." India invokes 9/11, 26/11 and Pahalgam Puri warned that allowing terrorist groups to operate with political protection and providing perpetrators safe havens undermines international efforts to combat terrorism and deliver justice. "The world has not forgotten 9/11, and where its perpetrators, including Osama bin Laden, were caught," he said. He also referred to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the Pahalgam attack, saying: "The world has not forgotten 26/11," and "The world has not forgotten Pahalgam." Puri also pointed to Pakistan's alleged financial support for terrorism ahead of the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meeting in Paris from October 26 to 30.