ARMY, MAOISTS BATTLE IN SOUTHWESTERN NEPAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001174

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/INS
LONDON FOR POL - RIEDEL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2012
TAGS: PTER MCAP PGOV NP
SUBJECT: ARMY, MAOISTS BATTLE IN SOUTHWESTERN NEPAL

REF: A. (A) KATHMANDU 1053


B. (B) KATHMANDU 882

Classified By: DCM ROBERT K. BOGGS. REASON: 1.5 (B,D).


1. (SBU) Summary: Two Royal Nepal Army (RNA) platoons
battled an estimated 100-200 Maoists the night of June 12 in
a remote location in Salyan District, about 320 km west of
Kathmandu. Preliminary casualty counts indicate from 3-8 RNA
killed, 3 missing, and more than 20 wounded. The battle was
precipitated when the RNA, acting on intelligence, discovered
a deserted Maoist training camp in the vicinity. That the
RNA has for the second time in two months capitalized on
intelligence to pinpoint the location of a Maoist camp (Ref
B) is an encouraging sign that the military is developing its
nascent intelligence capabilities. At the same time, the
Maoists have proven once again that they remain able to
train, gather in large groups, and engage the RNA despite the
extension of the state of emergency. End summary.


2. (U) On the night of June 12, two Royal Nepal Army (RNA)
platoons (80 soldiers commanded by a major) engaged an
estimated 100-200 Maoists at a remote jungle location in
Damichaur, Salyan, in southwestern Nepal (about 320 km west
of Kathmandu). Damichaur is about 20 miles north of (and
more than a day's walk distant from) the district
headquarters, where one of the platoons is based. Fighting
continued until the early morning hours of June 13.


3. (C) According to Director of Military Operations Brig.
Gen. Pradip Malla, RNA intelligence had received reports of a
Maoist training camp in the area. The platoons had come upon
a location that appeared to be the reported camp, which was
deserted except for one suspected Maoist, who was shot and
killed. The patrol recovered 11 self-loading rifles from the
site. Based on the amount of food supplies stored at the
camp (about 20 kg of meat and jerky),the RNA commander
estimated it supported a manageable number of insurgents, and
decided to engage them. The soldiers reportedly proceeded on
patrol, came upon the massed Maoists, and a firefight ensued
for at least four hours. Malla said 3 RNA were killed, three
are reported missing, and 20 injured. A total of 11 corpses,
presumably of Maoist combatants, were also found at the site.
(Note: The Chief District Officer put the number of RNA
dead at five, and a Ministry of Defense source said eight.
We expect the figures to change as more information becomes
available.) According to the Chief District Officer and an
RNA source, cordon and search operations for the scattered
Maoists are now underway in the vicinity of the battle. We
expect that further information on the battle will become
available in coming days.


4. (C) Comment: That the RNA has for the second time in two
months capitalized on intelligence to pinpoint the location
of a Maoist camp (Ref B) is an encouraging sign that the
military is developing its nascent intelligence capabilities.
At the same time, the Maoists apparently remain able to
train and assemble in large numbers, despite the extension of
the state of emergency. The two-week lull since the last
major incident (Ref A) led to some speculation that the
Maoists might be biding their time to see how the domestic
political scenario plays out. The events of June 12
demonstrate that the insurgents continue to train and remain
battle-ready.
MALINOWSKI