NEPALESE ARMY ROUTS MAOIST TRAINING CAMP; BANDH

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000570

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2012
TAGS: PGOV PTER ASEC PHUM PREL PINR NEPAL'>NP
SUBJECT: NEPALESE ARMY ROUTS MAOIST TRAINING CAMP; BANDH
PREPARATIONS


Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHAEL E. MALINOWSKI, REASONS 1.5(B),(D)

Army Takes Out Terrorist Training Camp
--------------


1. (C) Sixty-five Maoist insurgents were killed in a joint
Royal NEPALese Army (RNA) and Armed Police Force (APF)
operation March 17 against a suspected Maoist training camp
in Gumsa, Rolpa district, about 300 miles northwest of
Kathmandu, the head of the APF confirmed to Post March 19.
No prisoners were taken. A police source told us that after
the operation musket guns and homemade explosives had been
confiscated from the training camp.

RNA: Offensive to Continue
--------------


2. (C) An RNA contact judged the operation a success, and
pointed out that it resulted in the death of Maoist leaders
and trainers. He indicated that follow-up operations will
continue and similar operations would be conducted in the
future in order to exert pressure on the Moaists in Rolpa and
other areas they control. The operation demonstrated the
need to conduct joint operations with the police, served to
improve the police's morale, and showed that the unified
command concept was working. Our contact added that the RNA
did not just want to rely on helicopters, and wanted to
develop its capacity to conduct operations on foot.
(Comment: The RNA recognizes that the summer monsoon will
hamper heliborne operations, and that offensive operations
will of necessity involve infantry on foot.)

Preparations for Upcoming Bandh
--------------


3. (C) At a meeting at the Home Ministry March 19, the head
of the APF told A/DCM and Poloff that the government had
instructed public servants to report to work during the April
2-6 general strike ("bandh") called by the Maoists.
Government vehicles would be out on the roads. The Home
Ministry would issue directives and public notices to
encourage people to conduct business as usual, and police
personnel would be "vigilant" in apprehending agitators who
attempted to shut down shops, offices or schools. RNA
officers informed Post separately that they would step up
vigilance and urge the government to carry on as normal.

Comment: Boxing Days
--------------


4. (C) The RNA's apparently successful operation against the
training camp - smack in the middle of the Maoists'
stronghold - gives a boost to the security forces just as
they had begun to feel the rope against their backs. The
Maoists' may have thought that they could go ten rounds and
win on a split decision. Having seen the security forces'
right jab in Rolpa, they may now be revisiting that strategy.
Resource contraints and a lack of trained reserves will
continue to hold back the army. However - and hopefully -
our RNA contact's statement about not relying on helicopters
may mean that the military is finally taking the war to the
insurgents - on the guerillas terms.
MALINOWSKI