‘Hindu brothers killed, Pak wants to instigate riots’: Owaisi on Pahalgam attack

Demanding that Islamabad be placed in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list for terror financing, AIMIM president and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi said Monday that Pakistan wants to instigate communal riots in India and that “our Hindu brothers were killed” by terrorists in Pahalgam to send a message that “non-Muslims cannot” visit Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Owaisi said, “Be it ISI or ISIS or the deep state establishment of Pakistan, they want communal riots between Hindus and Muslims. The reason why our Hindu brothers were killed was that they wanted to tell us that non-Muslims cannot come to Kashmir. That’s their motive. We appeal to Indians to keep political differences aside and not allow those who want to weaken the country’s unity.”

Owaisi also demanded that Pakistan be placed in the FATF grey list. “They are funding terrorism from illegal money. So it is important to bring Pakistan in the grey list. We will demand this from the Government. We should also do a cyber attack on them, we have ethical hackers. We can also do a naval and air force blockade,” he said.

The MP said that as the Opposition, it is important to take action. “The terrorists are from Pakistan from where they are being trained, financed and sent. They had come from Pakistan in the 26/11 attack, as well. Initially, they (Pakistan) denied, but when Ajmal Kasab was arrested, the truth came to light. The Government has to take the decision. Terrorism must be stopped and strict action is needed,” he said.

Pointing out that Pakistan must realise India’s Ministry of Defence has a bigger than that of their entire country, Owaisi said they are “30 years behind India”.

Responding to Pakistan leader Bilawal Bhutto’s remarks targeting Indians over the Indus Water Treaty, Owaisi said Bhutto’s own mother (Benazir) was killed by terrorists. “He has come to politics recently. He should think about who killed his mother. His mother was a victim of terrorism. If he can’t understand that, what else will he understand? When your mother gets killed, it is terrorism. What about our mothers and daughters who are killed? Isn’t that terrorism too?” he said.

Demanding accountability in connection with the Pahalgam attack, Owaisi said, “When the surgical strike happened after , it was believed that there would be no further terror action. But it happened. It also has to be probed why security was not present. The Government will have to fix accountability.”

Owaisi also cautioned against targeting Kashmiris. “If this happens, Pakistan and LeT will be very happy. Their only job is to spread hatred among Hindus and Muslims. We have to ensure that they fail by not running this propaganda. Kashmiris, who are an integral part of the country, are the worst sufferers,” he said.