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 -------------- ¶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. �00A;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