SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RUN-UP TO NEPAL BANDH

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000632

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2012
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PINS NP
SUBJECT: SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RUN-UP TO NEPAL BANDH

REF: A. (A) KATHMANDU 604


B. (B) KATHMANDU 592

Classified By: ARSO H.E. REX, REASONS 1.5 (B, D)


1. (U) A bomb exploded in the middle of a small bridge west
of Kathmandu's historic Durbar Square March 29 at
approximately 8:45 a.m. At least 26 people were injured in
the blast, including four school children who were transiting
the area, two of whom sustained serious injuries. There were
no fatalities. No Americans were injured, and the area is
not frequented by foreign tourists. The bridge itself
sustained only minor damage and was reopened by noon.


2. (SBU) The Tankeswori is a narrow two-lane bridge over the
Bishnumati River between Hanumandkocha and Tachachal. At
that hour, the bridge is normally crowded with vendors,
shoppers, pedestrians, and vehicles. According to witnesses,
a few people on the bridge noticed a bundle of cloth lying on
the footpath that raised suspicion. As the bystanders talked
amongst themselves, three army personnel who were passing
through the area in plain clothes overheard them, and began
to clear the area. Soon thereafter, the explosive device
detonated. According to police and RNA sources, the
explosive was apparently in an empty paint can that had been
placed next to a larger, similar container holding bricks and
nails. Authorities suspect that the blast was triggered by a
timer or possibly by remote control. Police have taken one
person into custody.


3. (C) Comment: Unlike most of the explosive devices used
by the Maoists in crowded areas of Kathmandu, this device
appears to have been designed to spray shrapnel and cause
casualties. Many previous "banner bombs" were simply wrapped
in cloth or paper and designed to make noise. We suspect the
explosion to be part of the Maoists' continuing campaign to
terrorize the population into supporting the general strike
they have called for April 2-6 (reftels). The Embassy will
hold an EAC meeting the morning of April 1 to assess the
security situation.
MALINOWSKI