Published: August 22, 2005
Op-Ed Contributor
Crossfire War: South Asia - Relations Worsen as India Denies Role in Bombings
By Willard Payne
Crossfire War: South Asia; New Delhi/Dhaka-Tehran - Relations Worsen as India Denies Role in Bombings - Indian Border Units on Alert - Tehran Watches
Night Watch: NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI - Relations between the two governments continued to deteriorate as India’s Foreign Ministry rejected allegations from Bangladesh Industries Minister Motiur Rahman Nizami that India was involved in the 434 small explosions that hit the country last Wednesday.
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s official news agency, carried India’s Foreign Ministry’s denial, "The government strongly rejects the allegations."
India’s serious concerns about the bombings have been discussed at various levels between the two countries including during the recent visit of Indian External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh to Dhaka.
In a related development New Delhi, on Sunday, placed its troops along the Zero Line border between the two countries on alert. They are concentrating on the northeastern state of Assam that has a 272 km land border and 90 km water border with Bangladesh.
Assam chief minister Tarin Gogoi said, "We have asked security forces in districts bordering Bangladesh to be on high alert as terrorists might try and take advantage of the porous border to enter the state and stage similar attacks. We cannot remain complacent and hence the alert."
An Indian Border Security (BSF) official said, "Almost all vulnerable border entry points have been sealed with troops using night vision devices guarding the area." Additional companies of paramilitary troops have been deployed in the area. 30% of the Assam border is still unfenced and the river border is also a possible infiltration route for terrorists.
Indian intelligence officials have pointed out that a number of rebel groups in the northeast have bases inside Bangladesh. They also state that some of the units have links with Islamic militants inside Bangladesh.
As stated in my previous articles this developing situation is being followed with great interest by Iran’s Council of Guardians, who are in the process of having their new war cabinet approved. They are completing the stages of establishing a third front against India as Iran has long supported Pakistan-Kashmir, along India’s north and northwest.
Tehran’s involvement with Islamic groups in Bangladesh is in the form of financial and material support. When the time comes, in the very near future, the militants in the country will receive tremendous publicity by Iran and other Islamic countries that support the war effort against India.
This is why I emphasize the coming dry season, in October, as a time when the fighting could really begin as the drier weather makes it easier for military operations. That could be when India decides to attack militant bases inside Bangladesh as New Delhi has threatened to do concerning militant bases inside Pakistan-Kashmir.
Bangladesh’s Industries Minister may have blamed New Delhi for the bombings because he may suspect India might have territorial designs on his country.
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