Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday made a fiery call for the Indian government to take decisive military action and “take over” Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) if reports of Pakistani troop withdrawals are confirmed.
“Agar khali karke gaye hai, toh ghar mein ghus ke baith jana (If they have vacated the place and left, then we should go and sit there). This time, don’t leave it,” said Owaisi, addressing a press conference in Hyderabad. He was responding to unverified reports suggesting Pakistani soldiers have vacated forward posts and families of top officials are fleeing to places like London amid fears of retaliation from India over the April 22 attack that killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
“Don’t Just Hit, Take Over This Time,” Owaisi Tells Centre
Calling out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government, Owaisi stated, “Instead of boasting ‘ghar mein ghus ke maarenge’ (we’ll hit them in their home), go and actually take over the place this time.” He invoked the Parliament’s longstanding resolution that PoK is an integral part of India and urged the Narendra Modi administration to act on that mandate.
“There is already a resolution in Parliament that POK is ours. Then take action this time,” he asserted.
Criticism of 2019 Response, Call for Stronger Action
Owaisi also took aim at the government’s 2019 response to the Pulwama terror attack, saying, “I wish in 2019, Narendra Modi had acquired the launching pad lands from where terrorists operate.” He added, “This time, if there is movement from the other side, don’t stop short. Go there and take over.”
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He cited previous terror incidents like the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the Pulwama blast, and bombings in Lumbini Park and Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad as proof of Pakistan-backed aggression over the years. “From a Telugu pandit losing his daughter to a bride from Nizamabad dying at VT Station with mehendi still on her hands—these wounds are still fresh,” he said emotionally.
Tensions at the Border and Rising Domestic Pressure
Owaisi’s remarks come at a time when India has hardened its stance against Pakistan, following intelligence reports linking Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), to the Pahalgam attack. India has already suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, revoked Pakistani visas, and closed the Wagah-Attari border.
Calls for a strong retaliatory posture have gained traction across political lines, but Owaisi’s remarks represent a rare convergence where an opposition MP is openly calling for military occupation of disputed territory.
Political and Strategic Implications
While Owaisi has frequently clashed with the BJP on domestic issues, his remarks could amplify nationalist sentiment amid rising calls for retribution. Analysts suggest his comments might pressure the Centre to clarify its intentions regarding PoK, especially in light of claims that the Pakistani military is preparing for conflict or evacuation.
The Ministry of External Affairs has yet to respond officially to Owaisi’s statement.
