Posted on 07/13/2006 7:58:11 AM PDT by maxypane
Pakistan is suspected of involvement in Tuesday’s bomb attacks on trains in Mumbai, according to Indian government sources.
Talks between the two sides planned for next week are likely to be delayed.
These reports come as police probe phone calls made to Karachi and Dubai minutes before and after seven attacks on commuter trains, which killed 179 people and injured 772 others during the evening rush hour.
Separately, the banned Students Islamic Movement of India or SIMI, one of several groups suspected in the attacks, denied responsibility.
"SIMI condemns the killing of innocent people. Our name is being unnecessarily dragged into it and an atmosphere is being created against us," said Shahid Badar Salahi, a SIMI spokesperson.
"An investigation should be held to expose those behind the blasts. We want an impartial inquiry into this," he added.
International phone calls
NDTV has learnt that 35 landline calls out of Mumbai are being studied, but so far none of them have been linked to the attacks.
Seconds after the blast at Matunga, calls were made from the area to Dubai. Calls were also made to Karachi after blasts at Jogeshwari and Borivali.
Public telephone operators in those areas have given description of some callers.
The state government has summoned mobile phone operators to find out why their networks jammed immediately after the blasts.
In their search for the bombers, Mumbai police have made sketches of three suspects seen at the Churchgate area from eyewitness accounts.
A search is on for three other men in Buldhana district and the Crime Branch is searching hotels and guesthouses in Mumbai.
CCTVs have been installed at Churchgate, Dadar, Mumbai Central and Bandra stations.
Local and long-distance trains on the Western Line that was hit are running on schedule but flights from Mumbai and Delhi have been delayed by increased security checks.
Bombs in luggage racks
The probe so far has revealed that all bombs were placed in the luggage racks of the compartments and timers were used to trigger them. Police feel that gelatine and timers could have been used.
Investigators also recovered rexene bags and nails from scene of attack.
Intelligence agencies in Kashmir are investigating a call made by a man claiming to be part of al-Qaeda.
Sources say the attacks were planned well in advance, at least three months ago by a sleeper cell of local residents, not outsiders.
This was a group of people who had no prior criminal record. Their target was upper middle class professionals who travelled in first-class compartments.
Investigators are now on the hunt for what they call a network of individuals who helped the attackers providing them with logistical support for the attacks.
Planned attacks
Seven blasts rocked the city within minutes of each other with the first one at Khar-Santa Cruz at 6:24 pm (IST).
The second blast was reported at Jogeshwari station at 6:25 pm (IST) while the third blast took place at Borivali at 6:26 pm (IST).
Soon after, the fourth explosion took place at Mahim at 6:28 pm (IST) while the fifth blast was reported at Mira Road at 6:31 pm (IST).
While the sixth blast was reported from Bandra at 6:33 pm (IST), the seventh explosion occurred at the Matunga station at 6:34 pm (IST).
In March this year terror visited Varanasi where over 20 people died in multiple blasts. On Wednesday, the people of Varanasi came together to offer prayers for those who lost their lives in the Mumbai blasts. Children lit diyas and candles on the ghats. (With PTI inputs)
Nuts.
If Pakistan and India get into a shooting war, we will get involved.
For us it does not matter if they are your allies.
Nor should it. I was being sarcastic, see post 19
What are you gonna do?
Russia and Israel will support us. China, NK and Saudi Arabia will be on Pakistan's side. Iran too will provide Pakistan with back door support.
Not sure about US.
Hopefully, we (the US) would just pull back. Not good though, not good. We are living in interesting times.
Which side?
Honestly I don't know. We have troops currently in Pakistan, and it would be very difficult to have them there if a war starts. Musharaff is somewhat on our side, but many of the Pakistan military and just about all its intelligence agents are not.
Maybe offer Musharaff a free ride out, blow all the Pakistani nukes, and then pull out would be the best move.
Do we reneg on our arms sales? I doubt LockheedMartin would appreciate not getting that 5B$ sale of F-16s.
If/when Musrahaff dies or is removed from power, then yes!
Remember, the name of the Pakistani nuke was "The islam Bomb".
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