US embassy cables: Mumbai conspiracy allegations 'outrageous' – US ambassador

[ajtr]

US embassy cables: Mumbai conspiracy allegations 'outrageous' – US ambassador​

Tuesday, 23 December 2008, 13:26
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 003228
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
EO 12958 DECL: 12/22/2018
TAGS PGOV, PREL, PTER, KISL, IN
SUBJECT: CONGRESS PARTY STUNG PLAYING RELIGIOUS POLITICS
WITH TERRORISM
REF: MUMBAI 518
Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)

Summary
The US ambassador to India scornfully dismisses suggestions by an Indian minister that the death of Hemant Karkare, a senior anti-terrorism investigator killed by Islamist militants during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was somehow orchestrated by Hindu extremists. The Congress party is playing politics, he concludes. Key passage highlighted in yellow.

1. (C) Summary: On the floor of parliament, Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram officially dismissed comments made by the Minority Affairs Minister A.R. Antulay that implied Hindutva elements may have been involved in the Mumbai attacks. Antulay sparked a political controversy on December 17 with comments insinuating that the killing of Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) Chief Hemant Karkare by the Mumbai terrorists was somehow linked to Karkare's investigation of bombings in which radical Hindus are suspected (reftel). The outlandish comments suggested that somehow Hindutva elements were in league with the Mumbai attackers, or used the attacks as cover to kill Karkare. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) immediately called for Antulay's resignation and protested with boisterous walkouts in parliament over the course of five days. Compounding matters, the Congress Party, after first distancing itself from the comments, two days later issued a contradictory statement which implicitly endorsed the conspiracy. During this time, Antulay's completely unsubstantiated claims gained support in the conspiracy-minded Indian-Muslim community. Hoping to foster that support for upcoming national elections, the Congress Party cynically pulled back from its original dismissal and lent credence to the conspiracy. Regardless of Chidambaram's dismissal (and Antulay's party-ordered retraction), the Indian Muslim community will continue to believe they are unfairly targeted by law enforcement and that those who investigate the truth are silenced. The entire episode demonstrates that the Congress Party will readily stoop to the old caste/religious-based politics if it feels it is in its interest. End Summary.

Killed in Mumbai Attacks, Karkare Led Investigation into "Hindu Terror"

---------------------------------------------

2. (U) Indian Minorities Affairs Minister A.R. Antulay's sparked controversy on December 17 with comments insinuating that the killing of Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) Chief Hemant Karkare by the Mumbai terrorists was somehow linked to Karkare's investigation of "Hindu terrorists." Two of the Mumbai terrorists gunned down Karkare, and his ATS colleagues Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte and Inspector Vijay Salaskar the first night of attacks, November 26. The three officers were killed as they reached a hospital the terrorists entered after attacking the Mumbai train station.

3. (U) As Maharashtra ATS Chief, Karkare led the investigation into the September 2008 Malegaon blasts which claimed the lives of six people. Initially the police suspected Muslim terrorists. However, authorities recently arrested eleven Hindus, including an Indian Army Lieutenant Colonel. Police identified five of those arrested as having ties to the BJP's youth wing in their earlier years. Two others had ties to a recent addition to the Sangh Parivar family of Hindu nationalist organizations.

Antulay's Comments

------------------

4. (U) On December 17, even as a solemn debate on the Mumbai attacks and counterterrorism was taking place in parliament, Antulay made a series of public comments drawing attention to a possible link between Karkare's killing and his investigation. He offered no evidence to back-up his claims.

-- "Superficially speaking they had no reason to kill Karkare. Whether he was a victim of terrorism or terrorism plus something, I do not know."

-- "Karkare found that there are non Muslims involved in the

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acts of terrorism during his investigations in some cases. Any person going to the roots of terrorism has always been the target."

-- "Unfortunately his end came. It may be a separate inquiry how his end came."

-- "There is more than what meets the eyes."

Congress Party Dismisses...

---------------------------

5. (U) Most Congress Party leaders quickly disassociated the Party from Atulay's comments. Congress Party spokesman Abishek Singhvi told the press, "We do not accept the innuendo and the aspersions cast. This should be the end of the matter. The Congress does not agree with Antulay's statement." Another Congress Party spokesman, Manish Tiwari, followed the next day with, "The Congress in any manner does not endorse Antulay's views." Just as quickly BJP leaders called for Antulay to resign or be sacked.

...Then Equivocates...

----------------------

6. (U) However, on December 21 senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh told the media, "I don't think Antulay made a mistake. What he asked for is a probe. What is objectionable in his statement?" Two days earlier the Congress-led government of Maharashtra rejected a demand for an inquiry into Karkare's death. The opposition BJP took exception to both the substance of Antulay's comments and the Congress Party's inconsistent response. Shouting slogans, the BJP staged a walkout in the parliament three days in a row and demanded a formal clarification from the government. Emboldened by the equivocation, Antulay refused to apologize or retract his statements and said they reflected the views of a large segment of the Muslim population.

...And Finally Dismisses

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7. (U) After taking flack for nearly a week, the Congress Party finally gave its official view when Home Minister Chidambaram stated in parliament, "There is no truth whatsoever in the suspicion that there was conspiracy." Chidambaram called Antulay's comments "regrettable." Shortly thereafter Antulay backed down and told the press, "For me the matter is settled." He ruled out his resignation.

Congress Party Plays Cynical Politics

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8. (C) Comment: While the killing of three high level law enforcement officers during the Mumbai attacks is a remarkable coincidence, the Congress Party's initial reaction to Antulay's outrageous comments was correct. But as support seemed to swell among Muslims for Antulay's unsubstantiated claims, crass political opportunism swayed the thinking of some Congress Party leaders. What's more, the party made the cynical political calculation to lend credence to the conspiracy even after its recent emboldening state elections victories. The party chose to pander to Muslims' fears, providing impetus for those in the Muslim community who will continue to play up the conspiracy theory. While cooler heads eventually prevailed within the Congress leadership, the idea that the party would entertain such outlandish claims proved once again that many party leaders are still wedded to the old identity politics. The seventy-nine year old Antulay was probably bewildered to find that his remarks, similar in vein to what he would have routinely made in the past to attack the BJP, created such a furor this time. End Comment. MULFORD

 

[divya]

The US ambassador to India scornfully dismisses suggestions by an Indian minister that the death of Hemant Karkare, a senior anti-terrorism investigator killed by Islamist militants during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was somehow orchestrated by Hindu extremists. The Congress party is playing politics,


Being an Indian you are saying that congress is the right wing hindu party????????????????????????????????? That would be the joke of the day.

 

[cybertron]

@divya
oh yes you r hearing it from an "'indian'"
i remember that at that time the word 'hindu terrorists' caught up and was widely used in international media.
got to admit it was a bit irritating.

 

[Hulk]

The US ambassador to India scornfully dismisses suggestions by an Indian minister that the death of Hemant Karkare, a senior anti-terrorism investigator killed by Islamist militants during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was somehow orchestrated by Hindu extremists. The Congress party is playing politics,


Being an Indian you are saying that congress is the right wing hindu party????????????????????????????????? That would be the joke of the day.

Read again, you got it wrong.

 

[roadrunner]

All these attacks in the subcontinent tend to have more to them than the official storyline.

Even the Indian Army Officer was so stupid that Indian Courts ended up having no choice but find him guilty of a false flag op in the burning of a train of Hindu pilgrims.

 

[LaBong]

All these attacks in the subcontinent tend to have more to them than the official storyline.

Even the Indian Army Officer was so stupid that Indian Courts ended up having no choice but find him guilty of a false flag op in the burning of a train of Hindu pilgrims.

When did that happen? Probably I was in hibernation! :s

 

[Bang Galore]

All these attacks in the subcontinent tend to have more to them than the official storyline.

Even the Indian Army Officer was so stupid that Indian Courts ended up having no choice but find him guilty of a false flag op in the burning of a train of Hindu pilgrims.

I did not understand the meaning of a Think Tank to suggest that you can think up your own facts. The said army officer has not been charged with the Samjhauta blasts, let alone be found guilty of it.

Forget false flag ops going on elsewhere, there is one going on here & you are guilty of it.

 

[roadrunner]

I did not understand the meaning of a Think Tank to suggest that you can think up your own facts. The said army officer has not been charged with the Samjhauta blasts, let alone be found guilty of it.

Forget false flag ops going on elsewhere, there is one going on here & you are guilty of it.

An admission to supplying the RDX in a clandestine network is enough. Just because Indian courts whitewash the verdict and pronounce him innocent does not mean a thing.

Indian Army Lieutenant Colonel PS Purohit procured the explosives used in the 2007 Samjhota Express train bombing and 2008 Malegaon blast, Indian police told a court in Nashik city on Saturday.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Bang Galore]

An admission to supplying the RDX in a clandestine network is enough. Just because Indian courts whitewash the verdict and pronounce him innocent does not mean a thing.

Enough for you maybe. However since the CBI which is actually investigating the Samjhauta blasts holds that the explosive used was Ammonium Nitrate, even the supplying of RDX to a clandestine network proves nothing. As I said before, Col Purohit has not been charged with the samjhauta blasts.

Btw, does your choice of moniker refer to you running quickly away from facts. You said earlier that an army officer was found guilty & now you have changed that to him being pronounced innocent, neither of which happened because he was not charged with the offense to begin with.

 

[KS]

An admission to supplying the RDX in a clandestine network is enough. Just because Indian courts whitewash the verdict and pronounce him innocent does not mean a thing.

Indian Army Lieutenant Colonel PS Purohit procured the explosives used in the 2007 Samjhota Express train bombing and 2008 Malegaon blast, Indian police told a court in Nashik city on Saturday.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

Daily times , Nov16,2008

US Treasury Press release, July 1, 2009

In return for Qasmani's support, al Qaida provided Qasmani with operatives to support the July 2006 train bombing in Mumbai, India, and the February 2007 Samjota Express bombing in Panipat, India. In 2005, Qasmani provided Taliban leaders with a safe haven and a means to smuggle personnel, equipment, and weapons into Afghanistan.

WebCite query result

 

[roadrunner]

Enough for you maybe. However since the CBI which is actually investigating the Samjhauta blasts holds that the explosive used was Ammonium Nitrate, even the supplying of RDX to a clandestine network proves nothing. As I said before, Col Purohit has not been charged with the samjhauta blasts.

My whole point is that despite a forensics lab finding traces of RDX at the blast site, due to the cover-up and to get the Indian Colonel off the hook, all sorts of new explosives were found. The fact is RDX was discovered, and Purohit admitted supplying RDX to clandestine Hindutva networks for use in bombing Muslims in India.

That is indirect involvement in a false flag op, or at least trying to be involved. But of course the courts let him off scot free. No surprise there.

Btw, does your choice of moniker refer to you running quickly away from facts. You said earlier that an army officer was found guilty & now you have changed that to him being pronounced innocent, neither of which happened because he was not charged with the offense to begin with.

He admitted to himself being guilty if i recall.

 

[roadrunner]

Daily times , Nov16,2008

US Treasury Press release, July 1, 2009



WebCite query result

That really is desperately believing conspiracy theories to frame Pakistan in the above case.

 

[Bang Galore]

My whole point is that despite a forensics lab finding traces of RDX at the blast site, due to the cover-up and to get the Indian Colonel off the hook, all sorts of new explosives were found. The fact is RDX was discovered, and Purohit admitted supplying RDX to clandestine Hindutva networks for use in bombing Muslims in India.

That is indirect involvement in a false flag op, or at least trying to be involved. But of course the courts let him off scot free. No surprise there.

He is in the dock for the Malegaon blasts & nothing else. He remains in jail. You make some great leaps in your arguments: traces of RDX? That would be enough to tie Col. Purohit to those blasts? Only because that suits your version? As Karthic has pointed out, the Americans think differently & have blamed it on a Pakistani national.

He admitted to himself being guilty if i recall.

You recall wrong! No surprises there.

That really is desperately believing conspiracy theories to frame Pakistan in the above case.

Desperate? Only on your part. The Americans were able to get sanctions on the Pakistani gentleman in the U.N. Got China's support too!

 

[roadrunner]

He is in the dock for the Malegaon blasts & nothing else. He remains in jail. You make some great leaps in your arguments: traces of RDX? That would be enough to tie Col. Purohit to those blasts? Only because that suits your version? As Karthic has pointed out, the Americans think differently & have blamed it on a Pakistani national.

What the Americans believe is irrelevant. If they wish to side with India in internal issues, then it just illustrates India's inability to convince anyone that they need the American seal of approval for their findings.

RDX was found by the Bharat Arora Lab for example. RDX was found in Purohit's house.

"AFTER 44 months of dilly dallying, India has officially admitted that the Hindutva brigade of the extremist group Abhinav Bharat, of which Indian Army’s serving officer, Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit was an active member, was responsible for the bombings on board the Pakistan bound Samjhota Express and the Jamia Masjid in New Delhi. Over 60 Pakistanis died in the Samjhota Express blast on February 19, 2007, while 13 people were wounded in the blasts inside the Jamia Masjid on April 14, 2006. The official Indian admission comes through the report investigated and compiled by the Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (RATS)’ 806-page charge-sheet which confirms that these two were on the hit list of Hindutva terrorists involved in Ajmer Sharif, Malegaon and the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad."
Hindutva targeted Samjhota Express

You recall wrong! No surprises there.

I won't be correct on all things Colonel Purohit, since he's been involved in so many bomb explosions that kill Indians that without careful study, one can get them confused.

 

[Bang Galore]

What the Americans believe is irrelevant. If they wish to side with India in internal issues, then it just illustrates India's inability to convince anyone that they need the American seal of approval for their findings.

RDX was found by the Bharat Arora Lab for example. RDX was found in Purohit's house.

"AFTER 44 months of dilly dallying, India has officially admitted that the Hindutva brigade of the extremist group Abhinav Bharat, of which Indian Army’s serving officer, Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit was an active member, was responsible for the bombings on board the Pakistan bound Samjhota Express and the Jamia Masjid in New Delhi. Over 60 Pakistanis died in the Samjhota Express blast on February 19, 2007, while 13 people were wounded in the blasts inside the Jamia Masjid on April 14, 2006. The official Indian admission comes through the report investigated and compiled by the Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (RATS)’ 806-page charge-sheet which confirms that these two were on the hit list of Hindutva terrorists involved in Ajmer Sharif, Malegaon and the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad."
Hindutva targeted Samjhota Express





I won't be correct on all things Colonel Purohit, since he's been involved in so many bomb explosions that kill Indians that without careful study, one can get them confused.

You don't want to rely on the Americans, not on the Indians, only on an article in The Daily Mail? My point still holds. Purohit has not been charged with that incident & there it remains. You guys are welcome to think whatever you want and after the fake Wikileaks, probably create your own facts too.