SRINAGAR: All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday accused the government of failing to give a “befitting” reply to Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, alleging that the decision to pause military action disregarded national sentiment.
Speaking to reporters, as per NDTV, Owaisi said, “The government wasted a historic opportunity to respond strongly to Pakistan after the barbaric Pahalgam attack. By halting military action, it has ignored the will of the people.”
The Hyderabad MP further questioned the government’s resolve in handling cross-border terrorism, stating that symbolism was being prioritised over substantive action. “Every time such an attack takes place, the government talks tough but fails to act decisively. This sends the wrong message both to our citizens and to Pakistan,” he remarked.
The comments come days after the Pahalgam terror strike, in which security personnel and civilians lost their lives, triggered widespread outrage across the country. Opposition leaders have intensified criticism of the government’s security strategy, accusing it of mishandling both intelligence and response mechanisms.
While the Centre has maintained that national security agencies are taking “all necessary steps” to prevent further incidents, calls for a stronger military and diplomatic posture have grown louder.
Owaisi, a frequent critic of the ruling party, reiterated that India must adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. “Words alone are not enough. We must show Pakistan that every attack will invite a proportional and firm response,” he added.
