IC-814 probe to exercise in Alaska: India, US join hands

In fact, at the fifth Indo-US Joint Working Group meeting in Washington on July 11-12, US investigators assured their Indian counterparts that the FBI had corroborated evidence on the identity and motives of the hijackers after questioning several passengers of IC-814 in their countries, including in India. And soon, an FBI team will arrive in New Delhi to obtain the testimony of the pilot, Captain Devi Sharan.

Also, US authorities are working on getting a ‘‘sealed indictment’’ against the five Pak hijackers. This refers to an indictment that’s procured from the court and kept in sealed cover until the hijackers are apprehended.

Although only one passenger on board IC-814 was a US citizen, Jeanne Moore, this has given the FBI the window to step in and aggressively pursue the case.

The US assurance comes at a time when a Pak court has issued a death sentence against Omar Sheikh, who had been set free by the Government as ransom for the IC-814 hostages.

At the JWG meeting, an assurence was also given that either originals or copies of the IC-814 memorabilia which hijackers presumably left in Afghanistan and were recovered by US special forces would be handed over to India.

Besides the IC-814 case, reviews on several other crucial points took place:

• The United States, for the first time, agreed to send India a list of protective gear and equipment for combating biological warfare. India’s need for modern counter-terrorism equipment was also discussed. The lists of equipment are expected shortly.

• The Indian team was briefed by the Sandia National Laboratory of the United States Department of Energy for sale and supply of a multi-sensor system to check border infiltration. A team from the Ministry of Home Affairs will visit the United States in August for discussions and begin tests in India.

• Modalities for the second joint Indo-US exercise of special forces were also taken up. The exercises for holding special operations in hostile climate will be conducted in Alaska towards the end of the year, to be attended by a large contingent of special armed forces.

• A second team, this time from the National Security Guard, will shortly be in the US for training in handling hostage crises. A series of other such ‘‘capacity-building’’ visits are scheduled, on subjects ranging from forensics, aviation security and vital installation security.

The sixth meeting will be held in New Delhi in early 2003.