“Hand Over Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi—Then Things Will Be Over”: India’s Message to Pakistan via Israel

India has issued a strong message to Pakistan, demanding the immediate handover of key terrorists responsible for decades of cross-border attacks. Speaking to i24NEWS in Israel, India’s Ambassador to Israel JP Singh said that while the ceasefire holds for now, Operation Sindoor is only paused, not over.

“We’ve set a new normal. It’s an offensive strategy now. Wherever terrorists are, we will find and eliminate them,” Singh said, referring to India’s shift toward proactive counter-terrorism.

India Demands Action: “Hand Them Over”

JP Singh directly named Hafiz Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and Sajid Mir—key masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and several others—and urged Pakistan to hand them over.

“Just do one simple thing: hand over these terrorists to us. If the treaty was about goodwill and friendship, why was terror flowing in response to our water?” he asked.

This statement comes after India put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, following the Pahalgam terror attack which claimed the lives of 26 Indian citizens.

Singh emphasized that the Indus Treaty, signed decades ago on the principles of peace, can no longer be treated as business as usual.

“Our Prime Minister said it clearly—blood and water cannot flow together. We’ve allowed water to flow for years, and they’ve allowed terrorists to cross the border.”

India’s frustration, Singh said, stems from repeated betrayals and lack of action, despite presenting dossiers, technical evidence, and international input, including from the United States.

“The US recently extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana. Why can’t Pakistan hand over Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi?” he asked.

A Long List of Attacks

Recalling key terror attacks, Singh pointed out:

• 2001 Parliament attack

• 2008 Mumbai attacks

• 2016 Uri base camp attack

• 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing

• 2025 Pahalgam terror strike

“We’ve given them everything—proof, names, locations. And still, the masterminds roam free in Pakistan. We simply cannot trust them,” Singh said.

Call for a Global Coalition Against Terror

India is not standing alone. Singh called for broader international cooperation, especially from countries like Israel, to form a global coalition against terrorism and its supporters.

“It’s not just India and Israel. All nations suffering from terrorism must unite. The world needs to act not just against terrorists but against those who harbor and enable them.”

India’s Message: Terrorism Will Be Met With Force

To conclude, Singh made India’s policy clear:

“Zero tolerance. No compromise. The fight against Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their proxies will continue. We are determined. This is not just policy—it’s our national resolve.”

This statement marks one of India’s most direct diplomatic calls for action in recent years. As climate, water treaties, and cross-border terrorism collide, global attention is shifting to how long-standing agreements and geopolitical patience are now being tested in the face of repeated terror threats.