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