India may press US for help in Mumbai terror probe
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With no clear leads emerging in the July 13 Mumbai terror strikes, India is likely to press America for assistance in probing the bombings when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds strategic dialogue with External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Tuesday.
Besides counter-terrorism, the two sides will discuss concerns over the nuclear deal and exchange notes on Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Clinton touches down here on July 18 on a three-day visit that also includes a trip to Chennai, the hub of top-billing American investments.
Informed sources here said that India and the US have been exchanging information on counter-terrorism and sharing intelligence, particularly since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Sources, however, did not elaborate on the kind of cooperation India may want from the US on the July 13 terror strikes in Mumbai, saying it would not be prudent to go into the specifics at this stage.
Top US counter-terrorism officials, including US Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper and Deputy Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute, are among those accompanying Clinton on her three-day visit that begins on Monday.
A scooter and an email trail
India's investigating agencies have, for now, identified the two-wheeler in which one of Wednesday's bombs had been planted, Home Secretary R.K. Singh said. Eleven CDs of CCTV footage were also being scanned for clues into the serial bombings, he added.
The country's top security official said cyber experts were also tracing the origins of an e-mail that may give the investigators a clue about the bombings that killed at least 18 people and left 131 injured.
"We have identified the scooter in which one of the bombs was planted," Singh said on the sidelines of a function here.
Asked if the investigators had any definite lead, the home secretary said several suspects were being questioned because of their 'previous known linkages' with terrorists.
"There are various leads based on our previous databases, various people are being questioned, so investigation is going on," he said.
He was asked if investigators had traced any cross-border links to the triple bombings. The home secretary said: "We have an email which originated elsewhere. It is being followed up."
About the CCTV footage for clues into the bombings, Singh said: "There are about 11 CDs (of CCTV footage) which have to be gone through. It's voluminous work."
"Now, we have all the people and the faces appeared. They have to be recognised to see whether they are locals or outsiders. That process is on. People who are not recognised have to be put through a data base... the suspicious people are being verified."
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