BOMBINGS IN KATHMANDU

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001666 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PTER KDEM NP SUBJECT: BOMBINGS IN KATHMANDU Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Randy Berry. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) At approximately 4:30 p.m. September 2, three bombs exploded simultaneously in downtown Kathmandu, killing two and injuring twenty nine. Two little know Terai based groups -Terai Utthan Sangh (Terai Upliftment Union) and Terai Army -have claimed responsibility, but investigations continue and rumors abound. While the bombings have dominated press and conversation, life in the capital has quickly returned to normal, with stores, transport, and government operating normally. Police continue investigations into the blasts and the potential perpetrators. Post continues to liaise with local officials and contacts, and will report additional developments via septel. Three Bombs Explode Simultaneously -------------- ¶2. (U) All three devices detonated within minutes of each other at sites scattered around downtown Kathmandu. At two of the sites, Tripureshwor and Sundhara, bombs exploded at public bus stops, while at the third site, Balaju, the bomb exploded inside a micro bus. Two women were killed in the Tripureshwor blast, and a total of twenty nine were injured, some seriously, in the three explosions. Responsibility for Bombs Unclear -------------- ¶3. Although two little known Terai based groups -Terai Utthan Sangh (Terai Upliftment Union) and Terai Army -have claimed responsibility, investigations continue by police and investigative services. A variety of rumors abound on Kathmandu streets, including a popular perception that Hindu loyalists to the monarchy, possibly individuals affiliated with the military, were responsible. Two of the three blasts occurred proximate to NEPAL Army installations, and the third near an industrial area which served as the site of a major Maoist gathering last month. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) Investigations continue, but little is known about the organizations immediately claiming responsibility. Kathmandu has seen an increased police presence on the streets since Sunday's bombings, but life has generally returned to normal. GON commentary has decried the violence as aimed at disrupting the march towards the November 22 elections; the Terai Army claim of responsibility, in particular, vowed additional attacks in the future. BERRY