India@UN: “Pak welcome to enjoy destroyed runways and burnt-out hangers as victory!”

Virendra Pandit

New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday claimed at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that the Pakistani forces repulsed India’s attacks during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, and that seven Indian jets were turned to “scrap and dust.”

In a sharp retort, India said that “if destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars in look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it”.

“We saw many pictures of terrorists slain in Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible,” the Indian envoy said.

Reiterating that the Pakistani military pleaded for cessation of fierce fighting during Operation Sindoor, India asserted that there was no room for a third party’s interference in the bilateral issues of the two neighbours.

For its hard-hitting ‘right to reply’ to Pakistan’s wild claims in the world body, India chose a woman diplomat the way it had entrusted women officers from the armed forces to brief the media in May.

“This assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy,” Petal Gahlot, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, said, the media reported.

Sharif had advanced a bizarre account of the recent conflict when India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had claimed responsibility.

She said, “Till May 9, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on May 10, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting. The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible.”

India slammed Pakistan after Sharif said his country “won the war” during the recent conflict with India, referred to the “ceasefire” facilitated by US President Donald Trump and raised the issue of Kashmir in his address to the UNGA on Friday morning.

Gahlot said that “we saw many pictures of terrorists slain in Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor”.

“When senior Pakistani military and civilian officials publicly glorify and pay homage to such notorious terrorists, can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime,” she said.

Following Operation Sindoor, a viral photograph showed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Hafiz Abdul Rauf leading prayers for those killed in strikes on the LeT’s headquarters in Muridke, with the funeral being attended by Pakistani Army officials.

“India and Pakistan have long agreed that any outstanding issue between them will be addressed bilaterally. There is no room for any third party in that regard,” Gahlot said.

Sharif had claimed that while Pakistan was in a “position of strength”, it agreed to a ceasefire facilitated by Donald Trump’s “bold and visionary leadership” and thanked the US President and his team for “their active role in bringing about the ceasefire.”

India has consistently maintained that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two armies.

Gahlot highlighted that Pakistan had, in the UN Security Council on April 25, “shielded” the TRF from the responsibility of carrying out the barbaric massacre of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.

“No degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts,” she said.

Following the Pahalgam attack, the 15-nation UNSC had on April 25 issued a statement underlining the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of the reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

However, it did not mention TRF as the group responsible for the attack after Pakistan, with China’s support, managed to get the name removed.

“We have exercised the right to defend our people against such actions and have brought the organisers and perpetrators to justice,” she said.

She accused Pakistan of “deploying and exporting terrorism” and said it has no shame in advancing the most ludicrous narratives to that end.

“Let us recall that it sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade, even while pretending to partner in the war against terrorism. Its ministers have just recently acknowledged that they have been operating terrorist camps for decades,” she said.

She underscored that where terrorism is concerned, India is making it clear that there will be no distinction between the terrorists and their sponsors.

“Both will be held accountable. Nor will we allow terrorism to be practised under the cover of nuclear blackmail. India will never bow to such threats. India’s message to the world is clear; there must be zero-tolerance for terrorism,” Ms. Gahlot said.

Responding to Sharif’s remarks that his country stands ready for a “composite, comprehensive and result-oriented” dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, Gahlot said if he is indeed sincere, the pathway is clear.

She said Pakistan must immediately shut down all terrorist camps and hand over terrorists wanted in India.

India said it is also ironic that a country which “wallows in hate, bigotry and intolerance” should preach to the UNGA on matters of faith.

“The political and public discourse of Pakistan reflects its true nature. Clearly, a look by them at the mirror is long overdue,” Gahlot remarked.