Social media is abuzz with claims that India has officially sent a message to Pakistan demanding the extradition of its most wanted terrorist, and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed. But what’s the truth behind these reports? Here’s a detailed look at the story, separating facts from speculation.
Give Hafiz Saeed To India!
In an interview with Israeli news channel i24, India’s ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, has made statements regarding Hafiz Saeed and his release. He urged the creation of an international coalition to combat terrorism. About Hafiz Saeed, he said, “When the US can hand over these culprits, why can’t Pakistan hand them over? They have to simply hand over Hafeez Saeed, Lakhvi, Sajid Mir, and things will be over,” Singh said. He also added that Operation Sindoor, initiated in response to cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, is merely “paused” and not yet concluded.
Singh recalled the events that led to the operation, highlighting the April 22 Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians were killed after being targeted based on their religion. He explained that India’s response was carefully directed at the terrorist groups responsible for the attack, focusing on their bases and infrastructure located within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
“Terrorists on April 22 killed people based on their religion. India’s Operation Sindoor was against terror groups and their infrastructure, to which Pakistan responded by attacking India’s military installations,” Singh said.
“At an international level all those countries, including India, Israel and many other countries that face the brunt of terrorism, we need to expand our diplomatic reach, we need to cooperate, we need to form a coalition against terrorism and most importantly against the supporters of these terrorist groups”, he added.
Strike At Nur Khan Base
Singh called the Indian airstrike on Pakistan’s Nur Khan base on May 10 a turning point. He said the strike created fear in Pakistan and led its Director General of Military Operations to contact India for a ceasefire. Talking about the Indus Waters Treaty, which Pakistan called an act of war, Singh said India could no longer follow a treaty built on trust and friendship while facing regular terror attacks from across the border. He noted that while India allowed water to flow to Pakistan, Pakistan let terrorism flow into India. Referring to Prime Minister Modi’s words that “blood and water cannot flow together,” Singh said growing public anger pushed the government to suspend the treaty.
The Indian representative said that Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad are the main terror groups responsible for many attacks in India. He pointed out that the leaders of these groups are still living freely in Pakistan. He added that Pakistan could reduce tensions by handing over the main people that India has been asking for.
“They need to do a very simple thing- when the preamble includes goodwill and friendship, they just need to hand over these terrorists to us,” he said.
