PRT CHAGHCHARAN: PASABAND AND DOLINA DISTRICT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002355 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 CJTF-82 POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP MOPS MASS PGOV PTER AF SUBJECT: PRT CHAGHCHARAN: PASABAND AND DOLINA DISTRICT PATROLS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: PRT Chaghcharan conducted a patrol of Pasaband and Dolina Districts from July 4-7, meeting with district officials, police, and elders. Residents of both districts praised the work of the ANP. Development issues were the main concern for residents who thanked the PRT for its work but wanted more attention from the GoA and the international community. END SUMMARY -------------- --- PASABAND - STABLE, BUT CONTINUED TB INFILTRATION -------------- --- ¶2. (SBU) Pasaband District Chief of Police (CoP), Haji Noorali, welcomed the PRT team on July 4. Having assumed the post six weeks earlier, Noorali described a recent engagement near the village of Pirak where his ANP forces killed two TB and captured eight others. He said villagers from the area alerted the ANP to the TB location so they could intercept the group, an estimated 40 fighters. After two TB leaders - Abadallah and Mullah Kamal - were captured, the remaining fighters abandoned the area, leaving behind rifles, machineguns, and motorcycles. The two prisoners disclosed the location of a weapons storage area near Khona village on the Helmand border where the ANP recovered 28 mines and multiple canisters of machinegun ammunition. ¶3. (SBU) Noorali said he was working hard to gain the confidence of the local population, who welcome tough action against the TB. He reported that villagers are providing accurate information about TB elements in Pasaband and even Helmand. He identified small roads and foot paths where he and his staff believe the TB are crossing into Pasaband from Helmand. Noorali expressed confidence that his force of 70 ANP can handle these incursions with this intelligence, but said additional equipment (at least two more heavy machine guns PKMs and at least two more Ford Ranger police vehicles, in addition to more AK ammunition magazinges) was needed to increase ANP capability and to halt the incursions. -------------- PASABAND SHURA -------------- ¶4. (SBU) PRToff and Patrol Commander conducted a Shura on July 5, with over 30 district elders. Elders expressed support for Noorali personally and his aggressive actions against TB elements, downplayed the significance of the TB incursions, and welcomed more PRT and NGO activity in Pasaband. They highlighted the activity and good relations of the NGO MADERA. (Note: MADERA is a French NGO that works in animal husbandry, irrigation, cash for work (roads),and school construction. End Note.) Elders expressed appreciation for PRT/NGO efforts to build two schools in the area but wanted assistance to improve the small district clinic and more trained teachers. They said Pasaband residents supported the government but were disappointed that provincial authorities rarely visited the district. They encouraged more PRT visits. The patrol also traveled to Zamina Ghar and Sangan villages, where teachers and village leaders echoed the comments of the Shura elders. -------------- DOLINA DISTRICT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The PRT patrol met with district administrator Barajudin and CoP Sadadin who indicated the security situation is good. No TB elements are active in Dolina, and the people support the GoA. Barajudin said small tribal disputes cause occasional problems but the district's ANP force had performed KABUL 00002355 002 OF 002 well and these incidents do not threaten the stability of the district. He noted that many residents were involved in road improvement projects, which has improved the district's economy and greatly reduced travel time to Chaghcharan. Barajudin said the development support in Dolina was good and they were pleased that a school had been finished and a district center was nearing completion. -------------- ANP TRAINING -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In both Pasaband and Dolina the Police Mentoring Program (PMT) conducted live fire and other training with district ANP. The PMT now uses a cadre of ANP trainers to instruct basic police tactics at the district facilities, thereby eliminating travel to Chaghcharan and ensuring training is tailored to the need of the district. In Dolina, the CoP said his men lack weapons training, so this was the main focus. In Pasaband, PMT provided requested training in vehicle stops, searches, and patrols. PMT training is also an opportunity for the PRT to identify areas of improvement for district ANP. (Note: Often the PRT discovers supply discrepancies between police headquarters in Chaghcharan and district police stations. End Note.) In both Dolina and Pasaband, ANP stations requested two vehicles and additional heavy weapons to expand their patrol efforts and basic materials (i.e. pots-pans-utensils-bedding) to improve the quality of life of the ANP staff. The district CoPs worked with the PMT to develop lists of needed equipment so the PMT can work with the Ghor ANP Chief to address the shortages. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Officials, elders and residents of Pasaband and Dolina communicated that the security in their districts is stable and can support increased development. ANP leadership and staff are confident that they can counter TB incursions and, from every indication, enjoy good support among the population. Increased development is the major concern in both districts. The PRT's challenge is to get the new Governor and his representatives out to the districts to engage with the population. WOOD