Operation Sindoor Escalates: India Demands Hafiz Saeed’s Extradition

India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, has escalated with a clear ultimatum: Pakistan must extradite Hafiz Saeed, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Triggered by the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, India’s ongoing strikes signal a resolute stance against cross-border terrorism, with Saeed’s handover as a non-negotiable condition.

Operation Sindoor’s Strategic Strikes
India’s military response targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, using precision strikes to neutralize LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) bases. The operation, described as a “game changer” by Ambassador JP Singh, exposed Pakistan’s reliance on ineffective Chinese-supplied defenses, with Indian forces neutralizing over 600 drones. A May 10 strike on Pakistan’s Nur Khan base forced a ceasefire request, but India insists the operation is “paused, not over,” pending Saeed’s extradition.

India’s Diplomatic Offensive

India’s envoy to Israel, JP Singh, drew parallels with the U.S. extradition of Tahawwur Rana, urging Pakistan to hand over Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and Sajid Mir. Speaking on i24 News, Singh emphasized that Pakistan’s failure to act risks further Indian action. India’s abstention from the IMF’s $7 billion bailout vote for Pakistan, coupled with concerns over fund misuse, reflects its diplomatic leverage. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that Operation Sindoor targets terrorism, not bilateral ties, amplifying pressure on Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Dilemma
Pakistan faces a bind: Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist, remains free despite a 31-year sentence, fueling India’s accusations of state-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan’s military, weakened by losses and exposed technological gaps, struggles to respond. Public sentiment in India, incensed by the Pahalgam attack, demands justice, making de-escalation tricky without Saeed’s surrender.

Global and Regional Impact
The operation’s success, backed by satellite imagery and independent analysts, has embarrassed Pakistan while rallying international calls for an anti-terror coalition. As India vows to continue until Saeed is extradited, the standoff tests Pakistan’s resolve and India’s patience, reshaping South Asian geopolitics.