J&K ATTACK WILL DEEPEN GOI ANGER OVER TERRORISM

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
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