France backed by UNSC members block Pak efforts to designate Indians under 1267 sanctions committee

NEW DELHI: France backed USA, UK, Germany and Belgium on Wednesday blocked Pakistani efforts to designate two Indian nationals, under 1267 sanctions committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Pakistan had initiated a move in the UNSC with China’s support to designate four Indians as terror operatives. Earlier Sino-Pakistani efforts failed to designate two of four -- Venumadhav Dongara and Ajoy Mistry. And on Wednesday efforts to designate remaining two – Gobinda Patnaik and Angara Appaji also failed to see light of the day.

Other states of UNSC also backed the efforts to nix Sino-Pak efforts, ET has learnt. “Pakistan’s blatant attempt to politicize 1267 special procedure on terrorism by giving it a religious colour, has been thwarted by UN Security Council. We thank all those Council members who have blocked Pakistan’s designs,” tweeted India’s Permanent Representative to UN TS Tirumurti.

Pakistan had submitted the names of four Indians last year to UNSC for designation under the UNSC’s 1267 sanctions committee, without much evidence. “There was a chance for Pakistan to quietly withdraw the nominations. They did not withdraw nor did they give evidence,” said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified.

In June, the US had blocked Pakistan’s attempt to nominate Dongara, an engineer who was working on a project in Afghanistan. After the US did not support the Pakistani proposal to target Dongara, Pakistan turned its attention to three others – Ajoy Mistry, Gobinda Patnaik and Angara Appaji. In July Pak efforts to designate Mistry failed.

Pakistan had alleged that these four were using their work as engineers as cover to provide financial, technical and material support to terrorist groups including TTP, Tariq Gidar Group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.

Pakistan had initiated the move to accuse the four Indians in March last year as a retaliation against India’s vigorous efforts to get Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar listed as a designated terrorist, sources asserted.