Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CALCUTTA349
2006-08-14 12:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
UNITED LIBERATION FRONT OF ASOM CONDUCTS DEADLY EXPLOSIVE
how-toVZCZCXRO9672 OO RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHCN DE RUEHCI #0349 2261236 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 141236Z AUG 06 FM AMCONSUL CALCUTTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1084 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 0974 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 0374 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 0374 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0219 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0224 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0146 RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 0019 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0168 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0027 RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 1325
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000349
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PINR ASEC CASC IN BG NP
SUBJECT: UNITED LIBERATION FRONT OF ASOM CONDUCTS DEADLY EXPLOSIVE
ATTACKS IN NORTHEAST INDIAN STATE OF ASSAM
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000349
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PINR ASEC CASC IN BG NP
SUBJECT: UNITED LIBERATION FRONT OF ASOM CONDUCTS DEADLY EXPLOSIVE
ATTACKS IN NORTHEAST INDIAN STATE OF ASSAM
1. (SBU) In the run-up to India's August 15 Independence Day
celebrations, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)
conducted two deadly explosive attacks in the Northeast Indian
state of Assam. On August 11, six policemen were killed when a
landmine exploded under a police convey conducting
counter-insurgency operations in Tinsukia district of Upper
Assam. On August 12 two people, believed to be ULFA members,
threw hand grenades into a busy market place in the state
capital Guwahati. Luckily, just one of the grenades exploded
and the others failed. Six people were injured in that attack
and one person reportedly died. Post issued a
Department-cleared Warden Notice on August 11 alerting AMCITS in
the district of the risk of possible attacks by ULFA in Assam
during the Independence Day period.
2. (SBU) In response to the violence, the Government of India
(GOI) sought to reduce tensions with ULFA by announcing on
August 13 suspension of military operations against the
insurgent group for ten days. A senior security official in
Assam told Post that the GOI wanted to "wait and watch" for
ULFA's reaction to this overture, hoping that ULFA would
reciprocate the government's more conciliatory approach. The
official also observed that GOI security forces were less
focused on ULFA-sponsored violence, given concerns about the
potential for violence from Islamic groups.
3. (SBU) Post's security contact indicated that ULFA may still
be a growing threat as it has re-established bases in
neighboring Bhutan and that country is again becoming a base for
insurgent groups from India and Nepal. In December 2003, the
Indian military, with cooperation from Bhutanese government,
destroyed several ULFA camps in Bhutan. On August 14, "The
Asian Age" newspaper reported that ULFA has re-established three
camps in Bhutan's Samdrup Jhonkar district. The new camps are
reportedly commanded by Hira Sarania, protigi of ULFA "Commander
in Chief" Paresh Barua. Barua, according to GOI sources, is in
hiding in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Media also reported Maoist rebels
from Nepal are setting up camps in Bhutan. Post's security
contact said that the Bhutanese government will eventually have
to fight these insurgent groups. Bhutan recently created two
units specially trained for counter-insurgency operations.
4. (SBU) Comment: The GOI's recent decision to halt ongoing
military operations against ULFA is surprising as in the past,
suppression efforts have been stepped-up to crush ULFA when it
has conducted attacks. The GOI apparently hopes that suspension
of operations may encourage the stalled peace negotiations with
ULFA's representatives, the Peoples Consultative Group (PCG).
However, indications that ULFA is again setting up bases in
Bhutan presents the disturbing prospect of expanding violence
from Assam into its Himalayan neighbor. In 2003, only a
concerted effort by the Indian military could destroy ULFA's
bases in Bhutan. The additional possible presence of Nepali
Maoists would also add to the already violent mix of ethnic
insurgency in the Eastern Himalayan region.
JARDINE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PINR ASEC CASC IN BG NP
SUBJECT: UNITED LIBERATION FRONT OF ASOM CONDUCTS DEADLY EXPLOSIVE
ATTACKS IN NORTHEAST INDIAN STATE OF ASSAM
1. (SBU) In the run-up to India's August 15 Independence Day
celebrations, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)
conducted two deadly explosive attacks in the Northeast Indian
state of Assam. On August 11, six policemen were killed when a
landmine exploded under a police convey conducting
counter-insurgency operations in Tinsukia district of Upper
Assam. On August 12 two people, believed to be ULFA members,
threw hand grenades into a busy market place in the state
capital Guwahati. Luckily, just one of the grenades exploded
and the others failed. Six people were injured in that attack
and one person reportedly died. Post issued a
Department-cleared Warden Notice on August 11 alerting AMCITS in
the district of the risk of possible attacks by ULFA in Assam
during the Independence Day period.
2. (SBU) In response to the violence, the Government of India
(GOI) sought to reduce tensions with ULFA by announcing on
August 13 suspension of military operations against the
insurgent group for ten days. A senior security official in
Assam told Post that the GOI wanted to "wait and watch" for
ULFA's reaction to this overture, hoping that ULFA would
reciprocate the government's more conciliatory approach. The
official also observed that GOI security forces were less
focused on ULFA-sponsored violence, given concerns about the
potential for violence from Islamic groups.
3. (SBU) Post's security contact indicated that ULFA may still
be a growing threat as it has re-established bases in
neighboring Bhutan and that country is again becoming a base for
insurgent groups from India and Nepal. In December 2003, the
Indian military, with cooperation from Bhutanese government,
destroyed several ULFA camps in Bhutan. On August 14, "The
Asian Age" newspaper reported that ULFA has re-established three
camps in Bhutan's Samdrup Jhonkar district. The new camps are
reportedly commanded by Hira Sarania, protigi of ULFA "Commander
in Chief" Paresh Barua. Barua, according to GOI sources, is in
hiding in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Media also reported Maoist rebels
from Nepal are setting up camps in Bhutan. Post's security
contact said that the Bhutanese government will eventually have
to fight these insurgent groups. Bhutan recently created two
units specially trained for counter-insurgency operations.
4. (SBU) Comment: The GOI's recent decision to halt ongoing
military operations against ULFA is surprising as in the past,
suppression efforts have been stepped-up to crush ULFA when it
has conducted attacks. The GOI apparently hopes that suspension
of operations may encourage the stalled peace negotiations with
ULFA's representatives, the Peoples Consultative Group (PCG).
However, indications that ULFA is again setting up bases in
Bhutan presents the disturbing prospect of expanding violence
from Assam into its Himalayan neighbor. In 2003, only a
concerted effort by the Indian military could destroy ULFA's
bases in Bhutan. The additional possible presence of Nepali
Maoists would also add to the already violent mix of ethnic
insurgency in the Eastern Himalayan region.
JARDINE