Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KABUL1745
2007-05-24 14:09:00
SECRET
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:  

KIDNAPPED AFGHAN DEMINING NGO WORKER RELEASED - TALIBAN

Tags:  KHDP MASS ASEC AF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0033
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBUL #1745 1441409
ZNY SSSSS ZZH(CCY SUBJ/LINE ADOOC3B7CC/MSI0440 510)
P 241409Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8311
INFO RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T KABUL 001745 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/A, PM/WRA, INL, AND INR.

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - (SUBJ AND PRECEDENCE LINES)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2017
TAGS: KHDP MASS ASEC AF
SUBJECT: KIDNAPPED AFGHAN DEMINING NGO WORKER RELEASED - TALIBAN
REPORTEDLY KEEPS STOLEN AMBULENCE

REF: IIR 6 044 3914 07

Classified By: Acting POLMIL Counselor Chris Buck; Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)

S E C R E T KABUL 001745

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/A, PM/WRA, INL, AND INR.

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - (SUBJ AND PRECEDENCE LINES)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2017
TAGS: KHDP MASS ASEC AF
SUBJECT: KIDNAPPED AFGHAN DEMINING NGO WORKER RELEASED - TALIBAN
REPORTEDLY KEEPS STOLEN AMBULENCE

REF: IIR 6 044 3914 07

Classified By: Acting POLMIL Counselor Chris Buck; Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)


1. (SBU) Embassy Kabul learned of the safe release on May 17
of Esmatullah Mir Ahmadullah, an Afghan ambulance driver for
an Afghan demining NGO, the Mine Clearance Planning Agency
(MCPA). Ahmadullah reportedly was kidnapped by Taliban
operatives in Gardez on May 14. The Taliban reportedly kept
the ambulance that Ahmadullah was driving when he was
kidnapped, as well as the equipment onboard. (Note: A
similar kidnapping incident reportedly occurred in February
in Gardez. The MCPA personnel were released, but their
vehicles and equipment reportedly were kept by the Taliban.
End Note.)


2. (C/REL ISAF) According to a report conveyed to post by a
contractor providing technical support to MCPA, two armed
Taliban operatives surprised Ahmadullah on May 14 when he
took an MCPA-owned ambulance to a repair shop. The
operatives forced Ahmadullah under one of the seats of the
Toyota 13-passenger Hard Top model ambulance and drove him to
an unknown location. They successfully passed through an
Afghan National Police (ANP) checkpoint in the ambulance. A
self-described Taliban member called the MCPA Field Office in
Gardez on May 15, warning the group,s demining team to move
their base camp, which is near the Gardez ANP Regional
Training Center, and complaining MCPA deminers were removing
IEDs laid against Coalition and Afghan forces.


3. (U) Description of the ambulance follows:
Make/Model: Toyota Land Cruiser Hard Top (13 pax) Ambulance
Color: White
VIN (Chassis): JTERB71J60001181
NGO license plate number: M-5287


4. (S/REL ISAF) COMMENT: The ambulance may still be in the
Taliban,s possession and could be conceivably used by the
Taliban as cover for operations against Coalition/ISAF or
Afghan forces. This incident is similar to that reported in
reftel.
WOOD