PRT KUNDUZ: TALIBAN LAUNCHES SUCCESSFUL ATTACK IN

UNCLAS KABUL 001305

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR HARRIMAN
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL PHUM AF
SUBJECT: PRT KUNDUZ: TALIBAN LAUNCHES SUCCESSFUL ATTACK IN
THE NORTH


1. (U) SUMMARY: Taliban have claimed responsibility
for what may be the first successful suicide bombing
in Afghanistan's northeastern provinces on April 16.
A suicide bomber blew himself up among some 60
provincial police officers who were doing morning
exercises in downtown Kunduz City at about 8:30 am.
Initial accounts report at least nine police
officers killed, and over 20 injured. No civilians
or international forces were affected. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) At approximately 8:30 am on April 16, a
suicide bomber reportedly exited a red Toyota Corolla,
ran into the area where police where gathered, and
detonated his bomb. According to press reports,
Taliban commander Hayatullah Khan claimed
responsibility and said there would be more attacks.
"All of our suicide bombers are Afghans, and they are
present in all Afghan cities and waiting for
orders," he said. (Note: At this time we cannot
confirm whether the bomber received any support from
local sources. His leg and one ear were reportedly
the only remains found on site. End note.)


3. (SBU) While Kunduz has seen other types of
attacks, this incident may mark the first successful
suicide bomb mission carried out by Taliban in the
area. (Note: There was a February 2006 attack near
an ISAF convoy that killed one person other than the
bomber, but officials remain unsure whether it was a
suicide attack or whether the bomber's bicycle was
rigged, unbeknownst to him. End note.) Occasional
small arms and rocket-propelled grenade attacks have
been waged against ISAF convoys and Afghan National
Security Forces (ANSF) in Kunduz and surrounding
provinces. There have also been periodic IED
attacks against security forces, and several small
IEDs have been planted near NGO or other
international or Afghan civilian facilities. So
far, the latter have been assessed as related to
local disputes rather than organized by outside
terrorist groups.


4. (SBU) The province has periodically received
warnings of suicide bombers in the past. Two car
bombs were discovered in Kunduz and successfully
defused on August 15, 2006. At least one other
intended car bomb has since been seized. Acting on
tips and using checkpoints and searches, the local
security forces (ANSF and NDS) have arrested several
individuals and groups over the past six months.
Security forces have also intercepted several loads
of remote control devices and other bomb-making
materials, as well as Korans and other innocuous
items used to camouflage those materials.


5. (SBU) Comment: This incident marks the worst
insurgent attack in the northeast since the ouster
of the Taliban government in 2001. The Taliban has
long tried to extend its terrorist campaign into the
north (often reaching out to sympathizers among the
local Pashtun communities) but with only marginal
success until now. Bolstered by minimal support for
Taliban in the region, the ANSF and NDS are
proactive in following leads on planned attacks,
making it difficult for outsiders to operate.


6. (SBU) Comment continued: This first successful
suicide bombing undoubtedly will encourage others.
References to the attacks being carried out by
Afghans rather than foreigners reflect the Taliban's
awareness that infiltration from outsiders will be
less tolerated in the north than it has been in the
south.
WOOD