SINDH - KARACHI POLICE CONCERNED ABOUT AFGHAN

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KARACHI 000063 NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY USCENTCOM INTELCEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2019 TAGS: ELTN PTER PK SUBJECT: SINDH - KARACHI POLICE CONCERNED ABOUT AFGHAN BOUND CARGO SECURITY REF: A. 08 KARACHI 497 ¶B. 08 KARACHI 490 Classified By: Classified by Consul General Stephen G. Fakan for reason s 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Summary: On February 10, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Karachi Police told Post and Bilal carrier that security procedures for U.S. Military bound shipments to Afghanistan were inadequate. He asked that all carriers responsible for moving U.S. military (USM) equipment from Karachi's ports seek additional security for shipments, in particular open bed cargo. He added that police or private security should escort all USM equipment convoys from Karachi to the border of Sindh Province. The DIG plans to meet with all commercial carriers and their transporters involved in the movement of USM cargo. End summary. Convoy Security Lacking -------------- ¶2. (S) Karachi Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) A.D. Khawaja told Post at a February 10 meeting that security measures used by companies responsible for transporting USM supplies were inadequate. He pointed out that terrorists can easily identify military vehicles that travel on open bed cargo trucks and that they are high value targets. The meeting was not based on any specific threat received against U.S. convoys. Additional Security Suggested -------------- ¶3. (S) The DIG suggested that the Sindh Police or private security should escort unit cargo from Karachi Port or Port Qasim until the convoy reaches the Sindh border. He added that contract trucking company Bilal should coordinate with the Sindh Police to set up additional security for the unit cargo. Bilal agents at the meeting agreed to discuss the issue with shipping company American President's Line (APL) since APL would have to pay for any augmented security procedures. Post agreed to raise the issue with the Surface Distribution Deployment Command (SDDC) who would likely have to pay the carriers additional security expenses for unit moves. The DIG emphasized the need for enhanced security throughout Sindh Province, not just around Karachi and its ports, and said that the carriers - not the police - must ask for additional security. He opined that the Minister of the Interior's Ranger Police Force is better equipped to provide convoy security. ¶4. (S) The DIG instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police (responsible for Karachi Port Security) to dedicate at least one escort vehicle for the unit cargo. He will also send a team to the Bilal warehouse (at the Maripure Truck Stand) to examine security arrangements and provide recommendations on security enhancement. This facility at times temporarily stores up to 500 military vehicles awaiting movement to Afghanistan. The DIG said he planned to meet with U.S. Military (USM) carriers, cargo transporters and police officials from the Port Qasim area to discuss protection of these shipments. Current Protective Measures -------------- ¶5. (S) Bilal representatives pointed out that convoys of ten containers form at the Maripure truck stand, located five kilometers from the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT). If the trucks are carrying unit cargo, a private security vehicle lines up at the front and rear of the convoy and then escorts the movement to the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. (Comment: Unit cargo, which makes up about 35 percent of the APL shipments, consists of military vehicles and other equipment designated for specific units in Afghanistan. Normally the transporters use open bed trailers to carry the vehicles and begin their movements after midnight. End comment.) KARACHI 00000063 002 OF 002 Comment -------------- ¶6. (S) Post notes that this marks the first time in seven years that Karachi police have approached the Consulate about the need for enhanced security for shipments bound for Afghanistan. The planned U.S. deployment of additional ground forces to Southern Afghanistan and the closing of the Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan will require additional convoys to transit the already heavily traveled Karachi-Kabul corridor. Insurgents may well decide to target the shipments in Sindh province as the conflict heats up. FAKAN