Considering the diplomatically-sensitive nature of the investigations into the bomb attack on the Israeli diplomat, the government on Wednesday categorically instructed the investigative and intelligence agencies to conduct the probe from all possible angles and take an independent line of investigation.
Highly-placed sources said the government was clearly in no mood to take any chances as the probe involves two of New Delhi’s key allies — Israel and Iran. So, while the multiple agencies involved in the ongoing probe have been directed to take inputs from all quarters, including Mossad, they were instructed to “follow an independent line of investigation.’’
There is a growing view within New Delhi’s security and intelligence establishments that while Israel was quick to blame Iran and its protégé, the Hezbollah, for the incident but from India’s point of view, a number of terrorist outfits operating out of Pakistan and its principal sponsor, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), will be more than happy to embarrass India at a global forum.
Further, these Pakistan-based groupings will leave no stone unturned to spoil India’s relations with either Iran or Israel. So, investigating agencies are not discounting the possibility of a Pakistan-based terror group being behind the magnet bomb.
And it is not without reason that India is treading carefully.
Israel is one of India’s key partners on both defence supplies and intelligence sharing. In the last few years the two countries have made substantial progress on both fronts.
Similarly, Iran is extremely crucial to India’s energy requirements as nearly 12 per cent of its oil supplies are met by Iran. Iran is also one of the biggest importers of rice from India.
So clearly the government is in no hurry to take a position as to which outfit or country is responsible for the incident. The concerned agencies have also been asked to refrain from taking names till the probe was completely over. “Israel may have its own agenda in naming Hezbollah or Iran but we need to look at investigations with an independent view,’’ a top intelligence official said. Meanwhile, a 10-member team from Mossad carried out hectic deliberation with the investigative agencies sharing details of forensic examination and the modus operandi. Sources clarified that the Mossad team, which also inspected the damaged Innova vehicle, is only providing inputs and are not part of investigations. An Indian investigative team also went to the Israeli embassy to discuss the investigations.