India concerned over UN report on terrorists operating from Afghanistan

India has expressed concern at a United Nations report that said a large number of foreign terrorist fighters, including up to 6,500 Pakistani nationals, are operating in Afghanistan and said this vindicates New Delhi's long-held position that Pakistan remains the epicentre of international terrorism.

A report submitted by the UN Security Council's Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning individuals and entities constituting a threat to peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, also said that UN-designated entities like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, operating from Pakistan-controlled territories, are facilitating trafficking and training to other terrorists in Afghanistan.

Reacting to the UN report, India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said on Tuesday evening, "We note with serious concern reference in the report to the continued presence of the senior leadership of the UN-designated terrorist organisation Al Qaida and its affiliates in Afghanistan as well as a large number of foreign terrorist fighters, including up to 6,500 Pakistan nationals, operating in Afghanistan."

"Besides, UN designated entities like Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-i-Mohammed, operating from Pakistan controlled territories facilitating trafficking and imparting training to other terrorists in Afghanistan," he said.

Srivastava said the UN report asserts India's long-standing position that "proscribed terrorist entities and individuals continue to enjoy safe havens and recruit, train, arm, finance and operate with impunity from Pakistan with state support. They inflict violence and spread terrorism in the region and other parts of the world."

He said, "Pakistan has failed in fulfilling its international obligations, including under relevant UNSC resolutions and the Financial Action Task Force to put an end to support to terrorism emanating from territories under its control."

"The international community should hold Pakistan accountable and seek sustained, verifiable and irreversible action by Pakistan against terrorism," Srivastava said.