UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan on Tuesday called for a prompt, thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into the killing of three Indonesian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), warning that attacks on UN personnel amount to war crimes under international law.
Speaking at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, condemned the killings, describing them as a “tragic and deeply disturbing incident” that strikes at the core of international peacekeeping efforts.
Those responsible must be brought to justice. Pakistan calls for a prompt, thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to establish the facts. The safety and security of peacekeepers and UN premises must be fully ensured at all times, in full accordance with international…
— Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, PR of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanPR_UN) March 31, 2026
Two UN peacekeepers were killed on Monday in an explosion that hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy, destroying their vehicle, the head of UN Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said.
The incident took place near Bani Hayyan in southern Lebanon a day after another Indonesian blue helmet was killed when a projectile hit the mission’s base in Ett Taibe and exploded.
Attacks against peacekeepers are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes under international law. UN personnel are impartial agents of peace; targeting them is a grave violation that undermines international humanitarian law. Failure to ensure the safety of UN personnel… pic.twitter.com/eHHnCHpQbE
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) March 31, 2026
Pakistan calls for accountability
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said the attacks were not isolated but part of a “disturbing pattern” of violence and restrictions faced by UNIFIL personnel.
“Attacks against peacekeepers are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes under international law,” he told the Council, stressing that UN personnel are impartial agents of peace.
He called for a “prompt, thorough, transparent and impartial investigation” to establish the facts and ensure accountability, adding that those responsible must be brought to justice.
In the UN Security Council emergency meeting today, Pakistan strongly condemned the killing of three Indonesian peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This tragic and deeply disturbing incident strikes at the very heart of international…
— Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, PR of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanPR_UN) March 31, 2026
Pakistan also urged that the safety and security of peacekeepers and UN facilities be fully guaranteed in accordance with international law.
Solidarity with Indonesia
Pakistan expressed solidarity with Indonesia following the deaths of its peacekeepers and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
As one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar noted that Pakistan had lost 182 personnel in the line of duty and therefore shared a “profound sense of loss”.
He also wished a speedy recovery to injured peacekeepers.
As one of the largest troop-contributing countries, having lost 182 peacekeepers in the line of duty, Pakistan shares this profound sense of loss. We stand in full solidarity with the Government and people of Indonesia, as well as with the families of the fallen peacekeepers,…
— Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, PR of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanPR_UN) March 31, 2026
Rising risks in southern Lebanon
Highlighting the deteriorating security situation, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said recent artillery shelling, air strikes and drone attacks had increased risks to UNIFIL personnel operating along the Blue Line.
He stressed the importance of ensuring full freedom of movement for peacekeepers carrying out their mandate in a “complex and high-risk environment”.
Pakistan linked the incident to the wider escalation in southern Lebanon, pointing to ongoing Israeli military operations that it said had resulted in more than 600 civilian deaths and the displacement of over one million people.
“These developments are undermining the Lebanese government’s commitment to peace and stability,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said, urging the Council to extend full support to Lebanon.
He also called on all parties to comply with Security Council Resolution 1701 and the November 2024 ceasefire arrangements, and to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan reiterates call for de-escalation
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar warned that further escalation must be avoided and urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint.
“The ultimate objective must be urgent de-escalation and a complete cessation of hostilities, and a complete cessation of all hostilities and a peaceful resolution of all issues to prevent further deterioration of the regional security environment,” he said.
“This Council must fully espouse and advance that objective,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said.
Head of UN Peace Operations Lacroix said that UNIFIL is conducting investigations “to determine the circumstances of these tragic developments.”
“We strongly condemn these unacceptable incidents. Peacekeepers must never be a target,” he told journalists at a press briefing at UN Headquarters.
“We also remain seriously concerned about several aggressive behaviour incidents against UNIFIL peacekeepers in the past couple of days,” he added.
Three UNIFIL peacekeepers were killed in south Lebanon in less than 48 hours.@UNPeacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix affirmed that UN peacekeepers "remain on the ground, carrying out Security Council-mandated tasks, in extremely dangerous conditions."https://t.co/qGgYopzCya pic.twitter.com/me6M6uDVWA
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) March 30, 2026
