Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday sparked a political debate by calling on the Indian government to take decisive action against the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks who are believed to be living freely in Pakistan.
Referring to recent international developments, Owaisi said that if former US President Donald Trump could order operations beyond American borders to neutralize or apprehend enemies of the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi could also show similar political will to bring the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks to justice.
“If Trump can act against America’s enemies wherever they are, why can’t Prime Minister Modi do the same? The conspirators of 26/11 are sitting in Pakistan under state protection. India has every right to bring them back,” Owaisi said while addressing a public gathering.
Demand for Direct Action
Owaisi stressed that diplomatic pressure alone has failed to yield results for over a decade and accused Pakistan of shielding key terror figures involved in planning and executing the Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people, including foreign nationals.
He argued that justice for the victims and their families remains incomplete as long as the principal conspirators remain outside the reach of Indian law.
“Strong speeches and dossiers are not enough. The families of 26/11 victims deserve justice. India must show that terrorism against its citizens will not go unpunished,” he added.
Political and Strategic Implications
The AIMIM leader’s remarks come at a time when national security and cross-border terrorism continue to be major political issues in India. While the Indian government has repeatedly accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists, Islamabad has consistently denied the allegations.
Owaisi’s comments are likely to draw mixed reactions across the political spectrum, with supporters viewing them as a call for assertive national action, while critics may question the feasibility and diplomatic consequences of such an approach.
Government Response Awaited
So far, there has been no official response from the central government to Owaisi’s statement. However, senior officials have in the past maintained that India is committed to pursuing justice for 26/11 victims through international legal and diplomatic channels, while also taking necessary measures to safeguard national security.
The 26/11 Mumbai attacks remain one of the deadliest terror strikes in India’s history, and calls for accountability continue to resonate strongly in public discourse more than 17 years later.
