US embassy cable - 02KATHMANDU1198

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001198 
 
SIPDIS 
 
LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2012 
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, ASEC, PHUM, PREL, PINR, NP, Maoist Insurgency 
SUBJECT: ARMY COUNTS VICTORY IN SALYAN WHILE MAOIST ATTACKS 
RESUME, LESS FEROCIOUSLY 
 
REF: A. KATHMANDU 1174 
 
     B. KATHMANDU 828 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski, Reasons 1.5(b),(d) 
 
1. (C) Summary.  Nepal's army has confirmed that fifty-four 
Maoists and four Nepalese soldiers were killed during the 
June 12 clash in Salyan district (Ref A).  One general 
ascribed the army's success to better weapons and training, 
although other military sources related that the Maoists' 
ambush occurred while the troops had stopped for a meal and 
no sentries were on duty.  The June 17 Maoist firebombing of 
the Kathmandu home of a high-ranking army officer was the 
first violent incident in the capital in six weeks.   The 
Maoists appear to have resumed offensive attacks against the 
security forces, but on a smaller -- and more opportunistic 
-- scale.  End Summary. 
 
Troops More Highly-Trained, Better Equipped 
------------------------------------------- 
 
2. (C) The Royal Nepalese Army's (RNA's) Director of Military 
Operations (DMO) told DATT June 18 that 54 Maoists had been 
confirmed killed in the June 12 clash between RNA forces and 
Maoist insurgents in Salyan district (Reftel).  The RNA 
suffered four fatalities and 31 wounded.  A high-ranking RNA 
officer told Ambassador June 14 that one reason the RNA fared 
so well in the incident was the presence on the scene of a 
parachute squad equipped with M-16 assault rifles.  The squad 
was not only better trained and disciplined, but also had 
more firepower than typical RNA units. 
 
RNA Ambushed at Meal Time 
------------------------- 
 
3. (C) According to an RNA source, the June 12 Salyan 
incident began after one company (about 80 men) stopped in a 
valley for a meal at around 6 p.m.  A "couple hundred" 
Maoists ambushed the RNA bivouac, taking the high ground all 
around.  (Note:  According to source, the RNA did not post 
sentries.  End Note.) 
 
High Casualty Figures Unconfirmed 
--------------------------------- 
 
4. (C) In the immediate aftermath of the incident Nepalese 
civilian and militaries authorities claimed that the Maoists 
suffered casualties far in excess of the official 54.  The 
CDO for Salyan district told us June 17 that approximately 
150 Maoists were killed in the clash.  Far fewer bodies were 
found, he noted.  In explanation, the CDO thought that the 
Maoists took away their casualties.  He quoted a total of 
four army personnel confirmed killed and sixteen wounded. 
Life has now returned to normal in Salyan, he added. 
Separately, the RNA confirmed press reports that in search 
operations following the incident security forces seized two 
guns, over one hundred socket bombs, hand grenades and 
ammunition. 
 
After Pause, Maoists Strike in Capital 
-------------------------------------- 
 
5. (C) In the first attack in Kathmandu in more than six 
weeks, Maoists threw at least half a dozen petrol bombs at 
the home of RNA Brigadier General Bharat Rayamajhi during the 
early morning hours of June 17, police sources confirmed. 
(Note:  At present Rayamajhi is detailed to Nepal's new 
National Security Council.  End Note.)  Three of the 
gasoline-filled bottles exploded, but caused only minor 
damage.  The Maoists' last violent attack in the Kathmandu 
Valley occurred April 26, when insurgents set off a bomb on a 
bus during their self-declared "general strike" (Ref B). 
 
Two Police Shot near Western Nepal Town 
--------------------------------------- 
 
6. (C) According to press reports, the Maoists have also 
resumed strikes against police targets in built-up areas of 
western Nepal.  At dusk on June 15, Maoists -- some 
reportedly riding bicycles -- shot and killed two uniformed 
police officers at a village adjacent to the western city of 
Nepalgunj.  A plainclothes officer at the scene escaped harm. 
 Fifteen minutes later Maoists detonated a bomb at a house 
five hundred yards away.  (Note:  Post has received 
contradictory reports from Nepalgunj about what actually 
happened.  Nepalgunj's Mayor claims that the assailants may 
have been smugglers and not Maoists.  End Note.) 
Comment 
------- 
 
7. (C) After a hiatus of nearly a month and a half the 
Maoists appear to have resumed attacks against military and 
police targets.  Compared to previous "human wave" attacks 
against police and army installations, recent incidents seem 
limited in scale and -- as in the case of the ambush at 
mealtime -- even opportunistic.  Although better training and 
discipline allowed the RNA to repel the Maoists' ambush, the 
fact that the company commander did not post sentries during 
the meal attests that adherence to sound operational 
procedures is still not practiced across the board. 
MALINOWSKI