US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI2474

S E C R E T NEW DELHI 002474 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, IN, PK, Kashmir 
SUBJECT: OFFER TO SECURE THE KASHMIR BUS LINE 
 
REF: STATE 59595 
 
Classified By: A/PolCouns Matt Boyse for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1.  (S) A/PolCcouns delivered Reftel offer to MEA Director 
(Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran) Monika Mohta late on April 1, 
double-tracking with Director (Americas) Renu Pall.  Both 
were intrigued but non-committal, seeking clarification on 
several points and pledging to circulate the paper to other 
relevant offices and reply to us as soon as possible. 
 
2.  (S) Both officials were pleased to hear this 
reaffirmation of strong USG support for the bus, as well as 
our firm conviction that the initiative is critical to the 
Indo-Pak reconciliation process -- and that it simply must 
succeed.  They also expressed satisfaction that we were 
exhorting Islamabad to use its influence to ensure that the 
bus service is not disrupted, in view of recent public 
threats by terrorist groups against the bus itself and its 
civilian passengers. 
 
GOI Taking Major Steps 
---------------------- 
 
3.  (C) Responding to continued concerns about the safety of 
the bus, COAS LTG JJ Singh told the media on March 31 that 
the security services are determined to make the journey a 
success.  One report suggested that some 50 Quick Response 
Teams would be deployed at strategic locations along the 
road, that patrols had already begun, and that the bus would 
travel under heavy escort (possibly four jeeps packed with 50 
paramilitary soldiers), with high-powered jammers to protect 
against IEDs.  Another report suggested that the buses would 
be sequestered two days in advance to prevent explosives from 
being planted on board.  There have been conflicting reports 
about whether a low-flying helicopter would be added to the 
mix. 
 
4.  (C) On March 31, the J&K Deputy Inspector General of 
Police declared the route "absolutely safe."  Home Minister 
Shivraj Patil reportedly has given similar assurances.  A 
journalist in Srinagar told us that police pickets have been 
set up at some passengers' places of residence.  As for the 
MEA, UK HC Polcouns told us that he had raised the issue 
briefly with Foreign Minister Natwar Singh on March 30, who 
evinced no visible concern.  News reports from Srinagar 
suggest that the threats are not deterring passengers from 
traveling on the bus. 
MULFORD