CONSULATE PESHAWAR EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITEE MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L PESHAWAR 000717 SIPDIS DEPT FOR: DS/DSS;DS/DSS/ITA;DS/IP/SCA;DS/IP/NEA;SCA/EX; S/OPS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/9/2017 TAGS: PTER PK ASEC SUBJECT: CONSULATE PESHAWAR EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITEE MEETING CLASSIFIED BY: Karl Bultrowicz, Regional Security Officer, RSO, State. REASON: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (U) On 11/09/2007 at approximately 15:40 (local),an explosion occurred in Peshawar's Hayatabad suburb (approx. 5 miles west of the Consulate) at the residence of Amir Muqam, Federal Minister for Political Affairs and Northwest Frontier Province President for the Pakistan Muslim League - Qaid (President Musharraf's party). Local authorities are reporting that the explosion was a suicide attack. Four people have been reported killed in the explosion and another five injured. Minister Muqam was reportedly not injured. Reports indicated that the suicide bomber forced his way by Muqam's local law enforcement bodyguards into his residential compound. Post believes this is the first suicide bombing in the Hayatabad area. While Hayatabad experienced some violence during the Soviet Jihad period, this also appears to be the first instance of substantial violence in the suburb in recent years. ¶2. ( C ) Consulate Peshawar has had a standing requirement of notification/approval by the RSO for travel to the Hayatabad area because of its proximity to the tribal areas. Post activated it's Emergency Notification Plan. All Consulate personnel were accounted for. ¶3. ( C ) Post convened an EAC meeting at 1830 to review with staff the known facts of the incident and to assess the security posture of the Consulate's facilities and residences in relation to this recent suicide bombing of a local residence. In addition the EAC reviewed Post's current travel restrictions due to the current state of emergency status in Pakistan. In attendance was PO, RSO, RAO, DEA, IPC, MGT, ODRP and USAID. ¶4. ( C ) The EAC recommended refresher training for the Consulate's Local Guard Force members that provide security for employees residences, in regards to managing/screening individuals who approach employees residential gates and assuring proper security for employees departing and arriving through their vehicle gates. Other than the recommended training for the guard force, the EAC found that the Consulates security posture at the current time is at appropriate levels. ¶5. ( C ) In light of the state of emergency, post personnel have already been on limited travel. Travel by personnel is currently reviewed by RSO on a daily basis both official and personal. Employees were reminded to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activities, vary their routes and times and to have on them their E&E radios. TRACY