‘Indian Army Buried Them’: India Reminds Pakistan at UN of Its Treatment of Soldiers After Kargil War

‘Indian Army Buried Pakistani Soldiers With Honour’: India Hits Back at Pakistan at UN Over Kargil War

India on Thursday criticised Pakistan at the United Nations over terrorism, human rights violations and its statements on religious freedom. Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan reminded Islamabad that during the 1999 Kargil War, Pakistan refused to accept the bodies of several of its soldiers, while the Indian Army buried them with military honours and in accordance with Islamic traditions.

The remarks came in response to Pakistan’s statements on faith, religious freedom and burial practices. India questioned the credibility of Islamabad’s claims, citing its conduct during the Kargil conflict.

India Recalls Pakistan’s Conduct During Kargil War
Addressing the UN, Mangalanandan highlighted what she described as a contradiction between Pakistan’s statements on religious freedom and its actions during the 1999 conflict.

She pointed out that Pakistan had declined to accept the bodies of some of its soldiers killed in combat, whereas Indian troops ensured they received dignified burials.

“It is deeply ironic that a state that did not even accept the bodies of its own soldiers who were killed in combat in 1999 in Kargil, unabashedly speaks with a fervour on faith, religious freedom and burials. Let me remind them that it was the Indian Army who buried a number of Pakistani soldiers with military honours and in accordance with Islamic rites,” Mangalanandan said at the UN.

Her statement sought to draw attention to the treatment of fallen soldiers during the Kargil War while challenging Pakistan’s arguments on religious freedom and respect for the dead.

India Accuses Pakistan of Spreading Misinformation
India also criticised Pakistan for allegedly using international platforms to spread misinformation about Jammu and Kashmir and terrorism. Mangalanandan urged Islamabad to focus on developments within territories under its control, raising concerns about human rights conditions there.

“Pakistan’s deep obsession with the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir should be directed at the developments underway in the parts of Jammu and Kashmir under its illegal occupation, such as Rawalakot,” the Indian diplomat said.

India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and raising the Kashmir issue at international forums. Islamabad, meanwhile, continues to raise its own claims concerning Jammu and Kashmir.

India Raises Civilian Rights Concerns at UN
Separately, Lok Sabha MP Mahima Kumari Mewar raised concerns over alleged violence against civilians in Pakistan during India’s right of reply in the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly last week.

She accused Pakistani security forces and their proxies of targeting people protesting for basic rights, freedoms and essential necessities.

“In the last few months, the Pakistani armed forces and their proxies have killed dozens of innocent civilians who were agitating for their basic rights and freedoms and basic necessities,” Mewar said.

The remarks formed part of India’s broader criticism of Pakistan’s human rights record and its approach to Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations.