MUMBAI BLASTS - BDG OFFICIALS DENY INDIAN NEWS

UNCLAS DHAKA 004399 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PGOV BG SUBJECT: MUMBAI BLASTS - BDG OFFICIALS DENY INDIAN NEWS REPORTS OF BANGLADESHI INVOLVEMENT ¶1. Bangladesh State Minister for Home Affairs Babar has denied as "ridiculous" reports in the Indian press that explosives used in the Mumbai blasts were brought from Bangladesh. He suggested the news reports might be a counterpoint to similar news reports in Bangladesh alleging Indian links to the bombs used in the August 17, 2005 bomb blasts in Bangladesh. Officials pointed out that Bangladesh does not have facilities for manufacturing explosives, but rather imports them. ¶2. DGFI has also told us they have no information to support Indian press reports claiming Bangladeshis were involved in the planning or execution of the blasts, or that the perpetrators entered India through Bangladesh. ¶3. Officials at the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh told PolOff they were aware of the press reports. Noting it was still early in the investigation, they said they were unaware of any specific leads pointing to Bangladesh. At this point, India has not made any formal request to Bangladesh for assistance, they said. BUTENIS