CHINA PLAYS DOWN STATEMENT

BEIJING: China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Friday sought to downplay the scathing statement issued by the powerful organ of the world body naming Jaish-e-muhammad in the Pulwama attack, saying the mention of the Pakistan-based outfit was only in “general terms” and “does not represent a judgement”.

The UN Security Council (strongly condemned the “heinous and cowardly” terror attack. Asked about the statement and Jem’s role in the attack, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that Beijing was closely following developments related to the terror incident.

Pathankot airbase attack so that the Security Council can designate him a global terrorist. Azhar, afflicted with a kidney ailment, and his terrorist brother Rauf Asghar currently live at Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province. He hasn’t been seen in public since 2017.

Pakistan is not a member of the Security Council, and the country’s envoy lobbied against the resolution by calling the region disputed and seeking to make a distinction between terrorists and freedom fighters. Pakistan says it provides political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiri separatists, but banned antiindia groups such as JEM, Lashkar-e-taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen have bases on in Pakistan.

An official close to the deliberations said, “When was the last time the UN Security Council condemned a terrorist strike in Kashmir?” He added: “Never.”

The UN condemnation is a blow to Pakistan, coming on top of being named by the US in statements since the Pulwama attack.