POLICE FOIL ALLEGED PLOT TO BOMB TARGETS IN CHENNAI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHENNAI 000256

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/ES-O, CA/OCS, SCA/INS, DS/IP/SCA, DS/IP,ITA
NEW DELHI FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL ASEC CACS IN
SUBJECT: POLICE FOIL ALLEGED PLOT TO BOMB TARGETS IN CHENNAI

REF: A) CHENNAI 254, B) MUMBAI 364


1. (SBU) Summary: Following bombings in Bangalore and Ahmedabad
(reftels),Tamil Nadu police have arrested several men in connection
with alleged plans to bomb targets in Chennai and around the state,
according to media reports confirmed to us by both police and
government sources. The targets of the plot reportedly included a
city landmark located adjacent to the U.S. Consulate in Chennai.
One of the suspects, allegedly arrested in possession of bomb-making
paraphernalia, led police to a small amount (less than 10 kg) of
bomb-making material buried in central Tamil Nadu. The press has
reported that the explosive material is ammonium nitrate, but the
police have told us that they are analyzing the substance and are
unsure at present precisely what it is. If the substance proves to
be ammonium nitrate or a similar compound, the amount discovered so
far appears to be short of what would be necessary to cause
significant damage to the reported targets. The police have not yet
found any affiliation with the groups that conducted the Bangalore
or Ahmedabad bombings, although police sources have told us that
they seem to "share the same ideology." End Summary.

Press reports terror plot in Chennai
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2. (SBU) Tamil Nadu police apparently foiled a plot to bomb several
targets in Tamil Nadu, according to press reports confirmed by both
police and government sources. Targets reportedly included trains,
railway stations, and government offices in central and southern
Tamil Nadu and multiple targets in Chennai, including the "Anna
Flyover" (an overpass also known as the "Gemini Flyover") located
adjacent to the U.S. Consulate. One Tamil-language daily reported
that the U.S. Consulate itself was a target, but police contacts
have confirmed to us that this is inaccurate press reporting. They
told us that their interrogation uncovered no evidence that the plot
planned to target American interests or Westerners.


3. (SBU) One daily, the Times of India, claimed that the Anna
Flyover was at the center of the plot, but our police and government
sources emphasized that it was only one of many potential targets.
The reports also suggested that plotters planned to launch the
attacks before India's independence day, August 15.

Plot allegedly involves convicted bomb-maker
--------------


4. (U) The police arrested on July 27 in Tirunelveli (500 km south
of Chennai, near India's southern tip) Abdul Gaffoor, who was
allegedly in possession of various bomb-making paraphernalia,
including timers. Under interrogation, Gaffoor reportedly told
police that the mastermind of the plot was a prisoner lodged in
Puzhal Central Jail near Chennai, Ali Abdulla. Serving a life
sentence for murder since 2003, Ali Abdulla is also being prosecuted
in seven other bomb blast cases, and is believed to have been
trained in Pakistan by the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba. Ali
Abdulla allegedly used a mobile phone (illegally) to coordinate with
his accomplices.

Police discover small IED
--------------


5. (U) Gaffoor also provided information under interrogation that
led police to a cache of bomb-making material buried beside a road
near Madurai, in central Tamil Nadu (450 km south of Chennai).
Police are still examining the device, but press reports indicate
that the device contains no more than five to ten kilograms of
"ammonium nitrate," but the police have emphasized to us that they
are still analyzing the substance and are unable to confirm its
characteristics at present. Gaffoor's role in the plot, according
to these reports, was to assemble timers to be used as detonators
for the bombs.

Police responsive to Consulate requests
--------------


6. (SBU) The police have told us that they will increase their
presence in the Anna flyover area and will control the roads at
night with uniformed police check points. RSO plans to meet with
the police commissioner as soon as possible to discuss the

CHENNAI 00000256 002 OF 002


investigation and any necessary changes to the security posture of
the Consulate.

Comment
--------------


7. (SBU) We continue to monitor this situation closely and will
report on future developments. The discovery of a bomb-making
material lends credibility to the plot's authenticity, but the
investigation is ongoing. Should the substance in the device prove
to be similar to the bombs used in the Ahmedabad and Bangalore
bombings, then the amount discovered so far would appear to be
significantly short of the amount required to damage seriously a
steel-reinforced concrete structure like an overpass. Speculation
in Chennai will likely run rampant over the next few days, and the
Indian press's penchant for playing loose with the facts will make
it difficult to assess accurately the actual threat posed in this
case. We will continue to work closely with our police and
government contacts and evaluate our security posture as
appropriate.

KAPLAN