OFFER TO SECURE THE KASHMIR BUS LINE

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