Crossfire War – TEHRAN WATCH – South Asia Theatre: Tehran – Islamabad/Delhi; India Accuses Pakistan of Involvement in Mumbai Attacks – Al Qaeda (Iran) Announces Operational Base in Kashmir
Night Watch: DELHI – India is now officially stating Pakistan was directly involved in the Mumbai attacks. Reuters reports that India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has strongly condemned Pakistan for its involvement in the explosions on the Mumbai train system that killed 190 people and wounded 770. “We are also certain that these terrorist modules are instigated, inspired and supported by elements across the border without which they cannot act with such devasting effect.” Singh accused Islamabad of not honoring its commitment two years ago to shut down the Islamic militant bases in Pakistan’s part of Kashmir. Singh concluded by saying the Peace Process the two capitals instituted two years ago is now threatened. [SWISSINFO]
The Prime Minister’s angry response was based on investigations in which phone calls after the explosions by suspects were traced to Karachi and Dubai. India National Security Adivser M. K. Narayanan stated the investigation indicated the involvement of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) and the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). “Activists of SIMI have probably facilitated this but the planning was ISI.” [DNAINDIA]
I suspect Delhi is considering if not planning a military response by attacking Islamic militant bases inside Pakistan’s part of Kashmir. Something India has threatened to do. Some in Delhi are even saying Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf may not be able to control the militants. Islamabad has denied supporting the militants and has officially condemned the attacks, even one of the better known militant groups condemned them but that may be just statements they make for public consumption and to maintain a responsible image. But it was a year ago Islamabad announced they want the Kashmir issue solved by December 2006 and they know Delhi will never seriously negotiate relinquishing their control over the Muslim majority province. These attacks are obviously preparation for the next major war between them.
Another element has just announced its official presence in Kashmir, Al Qaeda (Iran). A man who identified himself as Abu al-Hadeed called Kashmir’s Current News Service and stated Al Qaeda has extended its network into Kashmir and called on Indian Muslims to support the Jihad in response to the treatment of Muslims in India. “Whoever carried out the attacks in Bombay we express our gratitude and happiness.” This is Al Qaeda’s indirect way of claiming responsibility. They are the vanguard of Tehran’s foreign policy and Iran’s way of saying it is ready to join the war against India. Tehran may even have the mythical leader of Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden, release videos with anti-India statements. The reason why India’s economic center Mumbai was targeted is for the same reason Tehran hit the World Trade Center in New York. The Jihad is economic. [IRNA]
Tehran’s attack on Mumbai has just destroyed the peace process.
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