(S) REQUEST FOR IMAGERY FOR ROYAL NEPAL ARMY, FIFTH

S E C R E T KATHMANDU 000378 SIPDIS NOFORN DEFT FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2012 TAGS: PINR PTER MASS NP SUBJECT: (S) REQUEST FOR IMAGERY FOR ROYAL NEPAL ARMY, FIFTH PHASE REF: A. (A) KATHMANDU 2277 ¶B. (B) KATHMANDU 2278 ¶C. (C) KATHMANDU 2279 Classified By: H. EGGLESTON. REASONS 1.5 (B, D) ¶1. (S/NF) This is the fifth request for IMAGERY SUPPORT for the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) to conduct offensive operations against Maoist rebels. ¶2. (S/NF) This request is the direct result of a large-scale attack on GON personnel in Achham District. RNA anticipates that Maoist insurgents are moving to the area indicated by the following coordinates: - 81 degrees 10 min 30 sec to 81 degrees 30 min 00 sec East - and 29 degrees 05 min 00 sec to 29 degrees 12 min 30 sec North. - Refer to Map Sheet Numbers 2981-13B and D, 2981-14 A and C. ¶3. (S/NF) The Maoist attacks inflicted heavy RNA, police and civilian casualties (see septel). Initial, but necessarily sketchy, reports indicate that the attacks were carried out by one thousand-plus Maoist cadre and an additional several hundred load bearers. An unconfirmed report indicates that the Maoists used mortars, captured from the RNA in November, in this attack. MALINOWSKI