New Delhi: In a strongly worded speech on Sunday, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take decisive action against Pakistan by bringing back the masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, drawing a direct parallel to the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces.

Speaking in the wake of US military operations in Venezuela, Owaisi cited the extraordinary measures taken by the United States, including air strikes and the subsequent abduction of Maduro and his wife, and said India should demonstrate a similar resolve against terrorists responsible for the deadly 26/11 attacks.

“If US President Donald Trump can abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his own country, then you, Prime Minister Modi, can also go to Pakistan and bring back the mastermind of the 26/11 terrorist attacks to India,” Owaisi said. He also referenced recent Saudi strikes on separatist camps in Yemen, emphasizing the international precedent for taking direct action against perpetrators of serious crimes.

Owaisi specifically mentioned Masood Azhar, the founder of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), calling him and other operatives “ruthless devils” responsible for orchestrating the Mumbai attacks. He urged the Indian government to take action and secure their return to face justice in India.

The 26/11 attacks, carried out from November 26 to 29, 2008, involved ten terrorists from LeT who stormed Mumbai with a coordinated series of 12 attacks across multiple locations, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, CST railway station, and Nariman House. The attacks resulted in at least 170 fatalities and over 300 injuries, leaving an indelible mark on India’s history of terrorism and national security.

The attacks have long been a point of contention in Indian politics. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has repeatedly criticized the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the time for allegedly adopting a soft approach toward Pakistan. In contrast, the Congress has maintained that while retaliation was considered, India refrained from military action due to international diplomatic pressure.

In September 2025, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram revealed that then-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had actively discussed potential retaliatory measures during the 26/11 attacks but was advised against any direct military action by the Ministry of External Affairs and foreign diplomats. Chidambaram stressed that India was fully prepared to respond but chose restraint to avoid escalating tensions with Pakistan and the international community.

Owaisi’s remarks come amid heightened public attention following the US military’s overnight raid on Venezuela, which led to the capture of President Maduro and his wife. The couple was transported to New York, where they face potential federal imprisonment and criminal charges linked to a Justice Department indictment alleging involvement in a narco-terrorism conspiracy. The unprecedented nature of the US operation has reignited debates globally about sovereignty, international law, and extraterritorial action against alleged criminals.

By drawing this comparison, Owaisi emphasized India’s moral and strategic obligation to pursue justice against the perpetrators of 26/11, highlighting the long-standing frustration in the country over the lack of direct action against Pakistani-based terrorist leaders. He underscored that such actions are not just symbolic but a necessary step in asserting India’s commitment to justice and national security.

Political analysts note that Owaisi’s appeal reflects a growing sentiment in India that terrorism cannot go unpunished, even when perpetrators reside in foreign countries. His statement is likely to reignite debates over India’s counter-terrorism strategy, the balance between diplomatic restraint and military action, and the need for a robust legal and intelligence framework to secure the return of fugitives.

The BJP, which has often positioned itself as a strong advocate for tough action against terrorism, has historically taken a cautious stance in responding to calls for cross-border operations, citing the importance of international law and maintaining strategic stability with Pakistan. However, Owaisi’s remarks have the potential to fuel political discourse, questioning whether current measures are sufficient to bring justice to the victims of the Mumbai attacks and their families.

Owaisi concluded his statement by urging Prime Minister Modi to match the decisiveness displayed by international actors like the United States and Saudi Arabia, suggesting that India has both the capability and moral obligation to act against those who plan and execute terrorist attacks targeting Indian citizens.

The 26/11 attacks remain one of the most tragic chapters in India’s fight against terrorism, and the continued presence of their masterminds in Pakistan has been a point of national grievance for nearly two decades. Calls for their return have been repeatedly raised in Parliament, public forums, and by victims’ families, with Owaisi’s comments marking the latest in a series of high-profile appeals for decisive action.

As international developments, such as the US operation in Venezuela, continue to unfold, Owaisi’s speech is expected to spark renewed discussion among policymakers, security experts, and the broader public regarding India’s counter-terrorism policies, extraterritorial legal options, and diplomatic strategy in dealing with Pakistan-based terrorist threats.

In essence, Owaisi’s message to the Prime Minister was clear: if global powers can take bold action against high-profile leaders or criminal masterminds abroad, India too should exercise the necessary resolve to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks to justice and uphold the rule of law within its borders.