A United Nations special experts’ report has concluded that India’s May 7 military strikes inside Pakistani territory code‑named Operation Sindoor violated the UN Charter and international law, while also affirming that Pakistan was not involved at the state level in the Pahalgam attack that triggered the escalation.
The report strongly condemned the April Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians, and called for those responsible to be brought to justice under international law. It noted that Pakistan categorically denied any involvement in the attack and repeatedly urged for an independent, impartial and transparent investigation.
However, the experts sharply criticized India’s response, stating that India’s unilateral use of force inside Pakistan on May 7 without prior formal notification to the UN Security Council under Article 51 of the UN Charter fails to meet the legal requirements for self‑defense and therefore constitutes a breach of international norms.
The report observed that India did not provide credible evidence linking Pakistan’s government to the Pahalgam incident at the state level. Experts stressed that counterterrorism operations do not justify a cross‑border military assault absent clear evidence or Security Council authorization, warning that such actions could violate the right to life and undermine regional stability.
The UN panel warned that if such actions are deemed an “armed attack,” Pakistan has the right to self‑defense under Article 51, and that India’s strikes represented significant violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty and the principle of non‑intervention.
Indus Waters Treaty Dispute: UN Calls for Good Faith, Respect for Rights
The experts also addressed tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty, a cornerstone agreement governing shared rivers between India and Pakistan. They criticized India for avoiding mediation mechanisms, challenging dispute procedures and not acting in good faith under the treaty framework.
The UN reaffirmed that international law requires that treaty obligations be upheld and that unilateral actions affecting water rights especially those that risk adverse impacts on human rights and livelihoods must be addressed through established legal dispute‑resolution mechanisms.
The report formally requested written clarifications from India within 60 days on multiple points, including:
Whether it has credible evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack;
Whether it will compensate for civilian harm caused by the May 7 strikes;
Whether it will apologize for actions deemed inconsistent with international law;
Whether it will fulfill its responsibilities under the Indus Waters Treaty and respect Pakistan’s legal rights and fundamental human rights;
What practical steps it intends to take for the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and to ensure the rights of Kashmiris.
India’s forthcoming responses will be published on the UN website and presented to the UN Human Rights Council.
Background Context
The Pahalgam attack in April 2025 prompted one of the sharpest escalations between India and Pakistan in years. India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting locations in Pakistani territory and Pakistan‑administered Kashmir. Islamabad condemned these strikes as “unprovoked,” reporting civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including mosques — allegations underlined in the UN report.
In parallel, India took the controversial step of placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, a perceived escalation in the diplomatic dispute over river waters that has drawn legal and political challenges from Pakistan and international legal experts.
