Owaisi seeks answers on fighter jet squadrons, accuses Centre of failing to make use of internal unity during Operation Sindoor

Hyderabad parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi raised concerns in the Lok Sabha over India’s defence preparedness and sought to know why only 29 fighter squadrons are operational despite a sanctioned strength of 42, and compared this military capability with adversaries like China and Pakistan

“After 60 years, we have only 29 squadrons. Pakistan has 25. China has more than 50. You have been in power for 11 years,” Mr. Owaisi said during a discussion on Operation Sindoor on Monday (July 28, 2025) night. He also sought to know whether India would obtain source code on weapons during its future acquisitions.

Mr. Owaisi criticised the politicisation of national security, saying the government had failed to utilise the consensus and cohesion across the country achieved during Operation Sindoor. He said that the Pakistani army, ISI and its deep state always wanted to weaken India.

“That unity should have been used to strengthen internal cohesion and unity. If minorities are targeted with bulldozers and hate speeches, and communalism, which God forbid, helps the agenda of the terror organisations of the neighbouring country,” he warned.

Questions Centre’s approach after Pahalgam

The AIMIM leader also questioned India’s approach towards Pakistan in the aftermath of the terror attack. “The Prime Minister said blood and water cannot flow together. If terrorism and talks cannot happen together, how will you justify playing cricket with Pakistan?” he asked. “My conscience will not allow me to watch that match,” he added.

Mr Owaisi expressed his grief for the victims of the 26 people who were killed by terrorists. He also expressed grief over the deaths of 14-year-old twins Zain Ali and Urwa Fatima, five-year-old Maryam, and madrassa teacher Maulana Iqbal. He paid tribute to Indian security personnel, including Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar and BSF Sub Inspector Mohammed Imtiyaz. He thanked Kashmiri civilians who condemned the Pahalgam attack from mosque pulpits.

He demanded that the government “fix accountability”. “Who is accountable?” he asked. “If it is the Lieutenant Governor, suspend him. If it is the police or intelligence bureau, take action. You cannot just conduct Operation Sindoor and expect people to forget.”

Taking aim at the government’s deterrence policy, Mr Owaisi said, “You did surgical strikes, you did Balakot. Yet Pahalgam happened. That means your deterrence has failed.”

He demanded that the government separate foreign policy and national security from politics. “If we are truly Vishwaguru, then I challenge you. Get Pakistan back on the FATF grey list with support from the GCC, the G7, and Uncle Sam.”