MAOISTS ATTACK DISTRICT NEIGHBORING KATHMANDU

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001033 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2016 TAGS: PTER PGOV NP SUBJECT: MAOISTS ATTACK DISTRICT NEIGHBORING KATHMANDU Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Maoists Attack Neighboring Sindhupalchowk District -------------- -------------- ¶1. (C) On April 23, Maoists launched simultaneous attacks on security forces deployed to guard a Nepal Telecom repeat tower, District Headquarters buildings, and a Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) Battalion at Chautara, district headquarters of Sindhupalchowk District, northeast of the Kathmandu Valley. The Himalayan Times quoted locals who said that Maoists first blocked roads, and then "large numbers" of Maoist militia "swarmed" into Chautara bazaar. The RNA dispatched its one remaining night capable aircraft with improvised mortar. The RNA succeeded in repelling the Chautara attack, although the Maoists did destroy a district forestry office. The Maoists did not succeed in destroying other government buildings or abducting any security personnel. RNA told Emboff that the Maoists killed one RNA soldier and injured nine. There were no details on Maoist casualties. Comment -------------- ¶2. (C) While government forces were able to repel the attack, the large number of Maoists amassed in districts surrounding the capital- including Makwanpur, Sindhupalchowk and Kavre - is worrying, especially with security forces concentrating their resources on the demonstrations in Kathmandu rather than on the Maoists. MORIARTY