US embassy cable - 02KATHMANDU378

S E C R E T KATHMANDU 000378 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEFT FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2012 
TAGS: PINR, PTER, MASS, NP, Maoist Insurgency 
SUBJECT: (S) REQUEST FOR IMAGERY FOR ROYAL NEPAL ARMY, FIFTH 
PHASE 
 
REF: A. (A) KATHMANDU 2277 
     B. (B) KATHMANDU 2278 
     C. (C) KATHMANDU 2279 
 
Classified By: H. EGGLESTON. REASONS 1.5 (B, D) 
 
1. (S/NF) This is the fifth request for imagery support for the 
Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) to conduct offensive operations against 
Maoist rebels. 
 
2. (S/NF) This request is the direct result of a large-scale attack 
on GON personnel in Achham District.  RNA anticipates that Maoist 
insurgents are moving to the area indicated by the following 
coordinates: 
 
- 81 degrees 10 min 30 sec to 81 degrees 30 min 00 sec East 
- and 29 degrees 05 min 00 sec to 29 degrees 12 min 30 sec North. 
- Refer to Map Sheet Numbers 2981-13B and D, 2981-14 A and C. 
 
3. (S/NF) The Maoist attacks inflicted heavy RNA, police and civilian 
casualties (see septel).  Initial, but necessarily sketchy, reports 
indicate that the attacks were carried out by one thousand-plus 
Maoist cadre and an additional several hundred load bearers.  An 
unconfirmed report indicates that the Maoists used mortars, captured 
from the RNA in November, in this attack. 
 
MALINOWSKI