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)
Uh Oh!
Not the first time the thought has recurred to me that we made a major mistake in failing to nuke Pakistan after 9/11.
--Not the first time the thought has recurred to me that we made a major mistake in failing to nuke Pakistan after 9/11.--
Pakistan? Why Pakistan?
It would be interesting to see who else will pull off a trick now.
Not good.
The Taliban was a Pakistani proxy, whose existence was owed to the ISI. The conditions under which AQ thrived were deliberately created by Pakistan. At least 40% of that country are hardcore - permanently implacable - terrorists and supporters thereof. Pakistan is second only to Indonesia in the manpower it supplies to jihad.
Get out of here. I thought the Amish did this?
--The Taliban was a Pakistani proxy, whose existence was owed to the ISI. The conditions under which AQ thrived were deliberately created by Pakistan. At least 40% of that country are hardcore - permanently implacable - terrorists and supporters thereof. Pakistan is second only to Indonesia in the manpower it supplies to jihad.--
I think all that is true but I don't think the president of Pakistan ordered 9/11. Possibly targeting known terrorist camps inside of Pakistan immediately after 9/11 would be more appropriate. I'm not even sure I would use nukes if the president had ordered 9/11 if we could make our point with conventional weapons. Nukes are a last resort.
Hope they don't have anything bad planned for the F-16s we're selling them.
prophetic ping
one ping only please
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If the Pakistani government is involved, I urge our Indian allies to act with restraint. You've got plenty of citizens and the Pakistanis are our allies in the WOT.
"Seconds after the blast at Matunga, calls were made from the area to Dubai."
Like in the Dubai Port Deal???????????????????????
would urge Israel to restrain had pakistan done the same to it?
your allies are attacking india.
well, ask your own CIA or NSA. they will tell you 'Why IT IS Pakistan'
?????????????
But yes, we urge restraint on Israel all the time when they're attacked, including yesterday and today.
--well, ask your own CIA or NSA. they will tell you 'Why IT IS Pakistan'--
9/11? I doubt they'd say that.
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