US embassy cable - 02KATHMANDU632

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000632 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2012 
TAGS: ASEC, PGOV, PINS, NP, Maoist Insurgency 
SUBJECT: SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RUN-UP TO NEPAL BANDH 
 
REF: A. (A) KATHMANDU 604 
 
     B. (B) KATHMANDU 592 
 
Classified By: ARSO H.E. REX, REASONS 1.5 (B, D) 
 
1.  (U) A bomb exploded in the middle of a small bridge west 
of Kathmandu's historic Durbar Square March 29 at 
approximately 8:45 a.m.  At least 26 people were injured in 
the blast, including four school children who were transiting 
the area, two of whom sustained serious injuries.  There were 
no fatalities.  No Americans were injured, and the area is 
not frequented by foreign tourists.  The bridge itself 
sustained only minor damage and was reopened by noon. 
 
2.  (SBU) The Tankeswori is a narrow two-lane bridge over the 
Bishnumati River between Hanumandkocha and Tachachal.  At 
that hour, the bridge is normally crowded with vendors, 
shoppers, pedestrians, and vehicles.  According to witnesses, 
a few people on the bridge noticed a bundle of cloth lying on 
the footpath that raised suspicion.  As the bystanders talked 
amongst themselves, three army personnel who were passing 
through the area in plain clothes overheard them, and began 
to clear the area.  Soon thereafter, the explosive device 
detonated.  According to police and RNA sources, the 
explosive was apparently in an empty paint can that had been 
placed next to a larger, similar container holding bricks and 
nails.  Authorities suspect that the blast was triggered by a 
timer or possibly by remote control.  Police have taken one 
person into custody. 
 
3.  (C) Comment:  Unlike most of the explosive devices used 
by the Maoists in crowded areas of Kathmandu, this device 
appears to have been designed to spray shrapnel and cause 
casualties.  Many previous "banner bombs" were simply wrapped 
in cloth or paper and designed to make noise. We suspect the 
explosion to be part of the Maoists' continuing campaign to 
terrorize the population into supporting the general strike 
they have called for April 2-6 (reftels).  The Embassy will 
hold an EAC meeting the morning of April 1 to assess the 
security situation. 
MALINOWSKI