TWO SCHOOLS ATTACKED IN HELMAND

UNCLAS KABUL 005121 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR SA/FO AMBASSADOR QUINN, SA/CT AND SA/A NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND CENTCOM FOR POLAD, CG CFA-A, CG CJTF-76 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID PTER AF SUBJECT: TWO SCHOOLS ATTACKED IN HELMAND REF: KABUL 5038 ¶1. (SBU) A TEACHER WAS KILLED ON DECEMBER 16 IN NAD ALI DISTRICT IN HELMAND PROVINCE. ALTHOUGH THE MOTIVE WAS UNCLEAR, TERRORISM IS LIKELY. ON DECEMBER 17, ANOTHER INCIDENT INVOLVING A SCHOOL TOOK PLACE, THIS TIME IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL. TWO MEN ON A MOTORCYCLE DROVE TO THE KARTELEGON SCHOOL IN LASHKAR GAH, WALKED INTO THE SCHOOL, AND SHOT AND KILLED A MALE STUDENT AND A JANITOR. THEY THEN FLED ON THE MOTORCYCLE. ¶2. (SBU) PRT LASHKAR GAH BELIEVES THESE ACTIONS WERE LIKELY INTENDED TO DISRUPT THE ARRIVAL OF HELMAND'S NEW GOVERNOR, ENGINEER DAUD (REFTEL),AND THAT TERRORISTS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE WEAKNESS OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. AS A RESULT OF THESE INCIDENTS, ENGINEER DAUD CONVENED AN EMERGENCY EVENING SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH HELMAND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. HE DIRECTED ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES TO COUNTER THESE ATTACKS, AND TOOK A VERY STERN POSITION WITH HIS POLICE CHIEF: EITHER TAKE CHARGE OR SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE TAKING OVER YOUR JOB. NEUMANN