Another day, another Jihadist terror attack. 10 died and 45 were wounded when a bomb blast ripped through Pune’s popular German Bakery located near Chabbad House and the OSHO Ashram. This time it seems that it was the Indian intelligence service which failed to connect the dots. The services should have known that initiating talks with Pakistan means that Jihadist opposed to the talk, more specifically, Lashkar El Taibe, will make an effort to scuttle with a terror attack. Hamas used the same strategy to scuttle Israeli/Palestinian talks for decades. Moreover, both the US (Defense Secretary Robert Gates did so personally) and the UK have recently warned India of an imminent terror attack. Part of the reasons for the warning may be found in a series of emails exchanged between a Lashkar El Taibe operative and the recently arrested Pakistani/American businessman David Headley, ne Daood Sayed Gilani. Headley visited Pune twice and stayed in the area of the bakery. Indian intelligence wonders whether the attack was Headley’ brain child and hopes to be given permission to interrogate him.

Sakaal Times reports:

 

That Pune was a terror target of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) becomes amply clear if one scans through the investigations papers and documents filed in United States courts and the probe of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has concluded that LeT secret agent David Coleman Headley had frequented near the target spot, the German Bakery.During the e-mail communication between Chicago-resident Headley alias Daood Gilani and an unidentified Lashkar-e-Toiba terror agent, there is reference to “not exactly at Rahul’s city, but near that”. While Rahul is the son of Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt – whom the veteran spy befriended in Mumbai, “near that” is an obvious reference to Pune – as Headley had visited there quite often.

The documents have been filed by FBI before a United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.

Following is the e-mail communication between Headley and the LeT member – many of which are in coded language, but a clear inference could be drawn. The e-mail conversation of July 10, 2009 - gives a clear reference to Pune.

July 3, 2009:

LeT member to Headley – “I need to see you for some new investment plans”

July 8, 2009:

Headley to LeT member - “What do you want me to do. Where are you interested in making investments”

July 8, 2009:

Headley to LeT member - “I think when we get a chance we should revisit our last location again and say hi to Rahul.”

July 8, 2009:

LeT member to Headley - “to see Rahul is a good idea coz have some work for you, over there too. Matters are good enough to move forward…”

July 9, 2009:

Headley to LeT member - “When you say ‘move forward’ do you mean North direction or towards Rahul. Also in future if we need to meet and discuss anything, do I have to come all the way over there or can we meet somewhere in the middle like Africa or Middle East”

July 9, 2009:

LeT member to Headley - “I mean towards Rahul”

July 10, 2009:

Headley to LeT agent: “I would like to know a few things if you can tell me: 1) What is the status with the Northern project, is it still postponed indefinitely? 2) The visit to Rahul’s place, is it for checking out real estate property like before or something different and if so tell me what you can please. Also is it exactly in Rahul’s city or a different one? 3) How long do you think I will need to stay at Rahul’s place to complete this task 4) Will I have to stay there continuously for a while, or back and forth like before.”

July 10, 2009:

LeT member to Headley - “There are some investment plans with me, not exactly at Rahul’s city, but near that. Rest we can decide when meet according to your ease.”

July 16, 2009:

Headley to LeT member - “One very important thing I need to know please is that how long do you need me for, meaning how long should it take me to finish my work, in your opinion. And is it really urgent? Before it seemed that the Northern Project was really urgent.”

July 18, 2009:

LeT member to Headley - “It may take somewhere between 2 to 4 weeks.”

July 19, 2009:

Headley to LeT member - “I think I can manage it…..is the Northern Investment definitely postponed for now?”

US next? Terror attack on US certain within 6 months Thus spake to the Senate five senior leaders of the U.S. intelligence community.  

Does the Pune terror incident mean that the prediction is based on more than mere logic? Seeking to assure us Vice President Biden mused that the expected terror incident will not be as devastating as 9/11. Cheney worries that such an assumption may reduce administration vigilance.

I do too. 

Also see my HNN blog Deja Vu

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