Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KABUL1412
2007-04-25 13:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
ATTEMPTED IED ATTACK AT KABUL AIRPORT
how-toVZCZCXRO6483 PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW DE RUEHBUL #1412 1151344 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251344Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7709 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC 0113 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 001412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO SCA/A
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A
FAA FOR JHANCOCK AND RSMITH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2017
TAGS: EAIR ASEC PTER ECON AF
SUBJECT: ATTEMPTED IED ATTACK AT KABUL AIRPORT
Classified By: DCM R. NORLAND, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 001412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO SCA/A
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A
FAA FOR JHANCOCK AND RSMITH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2017
TAGS: EAIR ASEC PTER ECON AF
SUBJECT: ATTEMPTED IED ATTACK AT KABUL AIRPORT
Classified By: DCM R. NORLAND, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) At approximately 1000 hours local time on 18 April, a
pipe bomb was detected aboard a fuel truck shortly after it
entered the north (military) gate to Kabul International
Airport. The truck had just passed through an Afghan
National Army (ANA) checkpoint and, according to witnesses,
the driver appeared not to know where he was going. He had
pulled up to the sallyport of an INL construction site, then
apparently changed his mind and backed up to start in another
direction. The truck was reportedly loaded with kerosene or
diesel for ground vehicles. An ISAF canine team detected
explosive residue on the truck and immediately seized the
truck and locked down the area. The canine team had been
deployed inside the ANA perimeter in response to intelligence
that an IED may be on its way to the airport. On further
investigation, the pipe bomb was discovered at arm's length
in a fuel hose adjacent to the main fuel tank. An EOD team
disposed of the device, which contained 1.5 pounds of high
explosives and an electronic remote firing mechanism.
Questioning of the driver and helper has indicated initially
that both denied awareness of the bomb.
2. (U) While the incident was being handled on the ground in
Kabul, one inbound Kam Air flight (with US Mission personnel
aboard) was diverted to Kandahar for several hours. The
airport was cleared for inbound flights by mid-afternoon, and
the Kamair flight continued to Kabul later the same day.
3. (C) ISAF, which works cooperatively with several GoA
agencies to provide security at the airport, has reviewed its
security measures in the past 24 hours. It has determined
that the measures currently in place have proven effective,
thanks to good international cooperation and coordination.
4. (U) COMMENT: Kabul International Airport is a key gateway
to Afghanistan, and a terrorist incident at the airport could
wreak havoc on international community operations here, not
to mention Afghan commerce. This incident highlights the
precarious security environment in Kabul, which makes the
protection of civil aviation here all the more necessary and
difficult. Several donors, including the USG, are involved
in upgrading security at the airport, but these measures will
take some time to come into play. We will continue to push
forward and expedite these upgrades. In the meantime, the
combination of good intelligence and good cooperation remain
indispensable to keep a determined adversary at bay. End
comment.
WOOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO SCA/A
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A
FAA FOR JHANCOCK AND RSMITH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2017
TAGS: EAIR ASEC PTER ECON AF
SUBJECT: ATTEMPTED IED ATTACK AT KABUL AIRPORT
Classified By: DCM R. NORLAND, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) At approximately 1000 hours local time on 18 April, a
pipe bomb was detected aboard a fuel truck shortly after it
entered the north (military) gate to Kabul International
Airport. The truck had just passed through an Afghan
National Army (ANA) checkpoint and, according to witnesses,
the driver appeared not to know where he was going. He had
pulled up to the sallyport of an INL construction site, then
apparently changed his mind and backed up to start in another
direction. The truck was reportedly loaded with kerosene or
diesel for ground vehicles. An ISAF canine team detected
explosive residue on the truck and immediately seized the
truck and locked down the area. The canine team had been
deployed inside the ANA perimeter in response to intelligence
that an IED may be on its way to the airport. On further
investigation, the pipe bomb was discovered at arm's length
in a fuel hose adjacent to the main fuel tank. An EOD team
disposed of the device, which contained 1.5 pounds of high
explosives and an electronic remote firing mechanism.
Questioning of the driver and helper has indicated initially
that both denied awareness of the bomb.
2. (U) While the incident was being handled on the ground in
Kabul, one inbound Kam Air flight (with US Mission personnel
aboard) was diverted to Kandahar for several hours. The
airport was cleared for inbound flights by mid-afternoon, and
the Kamair flight continued to Kabul later the same day.
3. (C) ISAF, which works cooperatively with several GoA
agencies to provide security at the airport, has reviewed its
security measures in the past 24 hours. It has determined
that the measures currently in place have proven effective,
thanks to good international cooperation and coordination.
4. (U) COMMENT: Kabul International Airport is a key gateway
to Afghanistan, and a terrorist incident at the airport could
wreak havoc on international community operations here, not
to mention Afghan commerce. This incident highlights the
precarious security environment in Kabul, which makes the
protection of civil aviation here all the more necessary and
difficult. Several donors, including the USG, are involved
in upgrading security at the airport, but these measures will
take some time to come into play. We will continue to push
forward and expedite these upgrades. In the meantime, the
combination of good intelligence and good cooperation remain
indispensable to keep a determined adversary at bay. End
comment.
WOOD