US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI8073

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 008073 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SES-O 
STATE FOR S/CT 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2015 
TAGS: PTER, PGOV, PREL, IN, PK, Kashmir 
SUBJECT: J&K ATTACK WILL DEEPEN GOI ANGER OVER TERRORISM 
FROM PAKISTAN 
 
REF: A. NEW DELHI 8012 
     B. NEW DELHI 7990 
     C. NEW DELHI 7803 
     D. NEW DELHI 7795 
     E. NEW DELHI 7794 
 
Classified By: Charge Robert Blake, Jr. for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1.  (C) Summary: Terrorists affiliated with Pakistan-based 
al-Mansoorian (a front name used by Lashkar-e-Tayyiba) on 
October 18 conducted a daytime suicide attack on a secure 
residential compound in Srinagar, killing the J&K Education 
Minister and two security personnel.  This attack appears 
designed to be a dramatic statement that the October 8 
earthquake did not disrupt cross-border terrorist operations, 
and not a targeted assassination.  It follows a series of 
large infiltration bids and dramatic attacks that followed 
the earthquake, and it will further harden GOI skeptics who 
do not believe that Islamabad is taking serious action 
against Kashmir-oriented terrorism.  This cable also contains 
suggested press guidance condemning the attack, which we view 
as particularly heinous given the backdrop of continuing 
eathquake-related relief and reconstruction.  End Summary. 
 
Terrorists Sought an Easy Target 
-------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C) According to our police sources in Srinagar and 
Indian press reports, two terrorists wearing police uniforms 
attacked Tulsi Bagh, a secure residential zone for VIPs in 
Srinagar, killing J&K State Minister for Education Dr. Ghulam 
Nabi Lone, as well as a Central Reserve Police Force officer 
and a J&K police officer.  One terrorist was also killed; the 
other was last reported hiding within the secure zone.  The 
Srinagar government declared October 18 a day of mourning, 
but added that relief efforts would not be interrupted. 
Al-Mansoorian, a front for FTO Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, claimed 
responsibility for the attack. 
 
3.  (C) It appears that the terrorists did not single out 
Lone as their target.  According to J&K media, they first 
tried to enter the home of Communist Party of India (Marxist) 
state legislator and longtime Embassy contact Yusuf Tarigami; 
Tarigami's personal security officer (a deputed J&K police 
officer) shot and killed one terrorist and was himself 
killed.  The surviving terrorist then entered Lone's 
residence (apparently unopposed) and shot Lone, who was at 
the time meeting with constituents.  Lone was taken to a 
nearby hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.  The series 
of events suggests that the terrorists sought to conduct a 
dramatic daytime attack inside the secure zone, but were 
flexible regarding their choice of a victim.  We have 
subsequently offered our condolences to Tarigami, who 
underlined the importance of a swift condemnation of the 
attack. 
 
Infiltration, Attacks Ramping Up Despite Quake Damage 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
4.  (C) There is a noticeable uptick in the pace of reported 
terrorist activity (i.e. infiltration and attacks) following 
the October 8 Kashmir earthquake.  Indian security forces 
have intercepted several large infiltration parties in the 
past ten days.  Terrorists are undoubtedly crossing the 
border before the snow (which has already begun to fall) 
makes many infiltration routes impassable.  Within the next 
3-5 weeks infiltration numbers should drop dramatically as 
the passes close. 
 
5.  (C) The surge in dramatic attacks may be linked to press 
reporting on the number of terrorist casualties in Pakistani 
Kashmir and the extent of damage to terrorist infrastructure 
from the October 8 earthquake.  The Srinagar attack is a 
glaring message that terrorist groups targeting Kashmiris 
retain their capacity to conduct raids on hard targets 
despite media speculation that thousands of terrorists may 
have been killed by the quake (Refs B and C). 
 
"Confirms" to Skeptics That GOP Not Serious on Kashmir CT 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
6.  (C) This attack will confirm suspicions within the GOI, 
from NSA Narayanan on down, that -- our own statements 
notwithstanding -- nothing has changed on the ground 
regarding cross-border terrorism (Refs A-E).  The PM should 
be able to keep Indo-Pak rapprochement on track, but the 
goodwill generated by anecdotal cross-border cooperation in 
the aftermath of the quake greatly erodes with each terrorist 
incident. 
 
Comment: Swift and Strong Condemnation 
-------------------------------------- 
 
7.  (U) This attack is particularly heinous given the 
enormity of ongoing earthquake relief and reconstruction 
efforts on both sides of the LoC.  Post recommends Department 
strongly condemn this attack, and offers the following 
suggested press guidance: 
 
Begin suggested press guidance: 
 
"We strongly condemn the October 18 terrorist attack in 
Srinagar and extend our deepest condolences to the families 
of the victims.  No attack on unarmed civilians is justified. 
 This attack was particularly reprehensible, given the 
magnitude of human suffering caused by the October 8 
earthquake and the massive relief and reconstruction efforts 
that remain.  We support Indian counter-terrorism efforts to 
protect its citizens, and to enhance peace and security in 
Jammu and Kashmir." 
 
End suggested press guidance. 
BLAKE