NEW DELHI: India’s ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, has asserted that Operation Sindoor—launched in response to cross-border terrorism from Pakistan—is only paused, not over, and reiterated India’s demand for the extradition of key terror figures sheltered in Pakistan.
In an interview with Israeli news outlet i24, Singh emphasized the need for a global coalition against terrorism, drawing a parallel with the U.S. extradition of Tahawwur Rana. He questioned why Pakistan could not do the same by handing over Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed, Sajid Mir, and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, all wanted in India for major terror attacks.
Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, Singh said the victims were targeted based on their religion, and India’s military response was directed solely at terror groups and their infrastructure inside Pakistan. However, he noted that Pakistan retaliated by attacking Indian military positions.
“The terrorists killed people based on their religion. Our operation was against terror infrastructure. In response, Pakistan attacked our military installations,” Singh said.
When asked whether the current ceasefire marked the end of hostilities, Singh replied, “The ceasefire is still holding, but Operation Sindoor is paused—not over. Wherever terrorists are, we must eliminate them and dismantle their infrastructure.”
Singh described the May 10 Indian airstrike on Pakistan’s Nur Khan airbase as a “game-changer,” claiming it caused panic in the Pakistani military and led to a request for a ceasefire by Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations.
Commenting on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Singh argued that India could not uphold a treaty “based on goodwill and friendship” while facing continued terrorist attacks. “Blood and water cannot flow together,” he said, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s long-standing position. Singh added that while water continued to flow to Pakistan, terror kept flowing in the opposite direction.
He likened India’s military campaign to a new, more assertive doctrine: “While IWT is in abeyance, another IWT is operational—India’s War on Terrorism.”
Singh named Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad as the core groups behind major terror attacks in India and criticized Pakistan for allowing their leaders to operate freely. “All they need to do is one simple thing: hand over these terrorists. If the U.S. can extradite criminals, why can’t Pakistan? Just hand over Hafiz Saeed, Lakhvi, Sajid Mir—and it’ll be over,” he said.
He dismissed Pakistan’s offer to investigate the Pahalgam attack as a diversionary tactic, citing Pakistan’s failure to act on earlier evidence provided in the Mumbai, Pathankot, and Pulwama attacks. “We’ve sent dossiers, technical inputs—even the U.S. has shared evidence. But nothing has been done,” Singh said.
Despite being named as key figures behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, both Saeed and Lakhvi remain free, Singh noted, saying, “We can’t trust them.”
Calling terrorism a global challenge, Singh urged closer cooperation between nations like India, Israel, and others affected by terrorism. “We need to expand diplomatic efforts and form a coalition—not just against terror groups, but also against their sponsors.”
He concluded by underlining India’s firm stance: “Our Prime Minister has made it absolutely clear—we have zero tolerance for terrorism. Cross-border terror will not be accepted.”
