PRT LASHKAR GAH: SUICIDE BOMBING AT ALTERNATIVE

UNCLAS KABUL 000281 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO DAS GASTRIGHT, SCA/A STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR HARRIMAN OSD FOR KIMMITT CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76 POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP MOPS PREL PGOV PTER PHUM AF SUBJECT: PRT LASHKAR GAH: SUICIDE BOMBING AT ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS PROGRAM OFFICES ¶1. (U) At approximately 11:50 a.m. on January 26, a suicide body-borne improvised explosive device detonated outside of USAID's Alternative Livelihoods Program (ALP/S) compound in the center of Lashkar Gah. According to Global Security, who handle security for ALP/S, the bomber approached the entrance and tried to gain access to the compound, claiming he had an item (envelope or package) to deliver to an unspecified person within. A local guard force shift commander grew suspicious and challenged the individual. An argument ensued and the individual did not heed a warning to stop, whereon the guard shot the bomber in the chest. While lying on the ground, the bomber detonated the IED, killing himself and inflicting shrapnel wounds to the guard. Though press reports have referred to a policeman (likely a reference to the guard) and two civilians being injured, Global reported no other injuries. The guard received immediate treatment by the Global medics and was sent to a local hospital. ¶2. (SBU) In an announcement on local radio in the afternoon, Provincial Police Chief General Nabi Jan Mullahkhel confirmed the attack. The announcement reported that, according to the police department,s investigation, the suicide bomber was not Afghan. NEUMANN