Daily Situation Report 04 November 2010 Safety and Security Issues Relevant to Sssi Personnel and Clients

DAILY SITUATION REPORT 04 NOVEMBER 2010 SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES RELEVANT TO SSSI PERSONNEL AND CLIENTS

STANDING THREAT ASSESSMENT (KABUL): Threat reports continue to indicate that insurgents aspire to conduct coordinated attacks in Kabul City, as such the threat remains extant. Recent threat reporting has also indicated likely reconnaissance of areas and businesses frequented by members of the international community. Although no significant attacks were carried out in Kabul during the recent parliamentary election, or indeed after the event, the recent reduction in physical security in the city may provide insurgents with exploitable opportunities to carry out attacks. Suicide and complex attacks remain the preferred choice for insurgents in order to gain maximum casualties figures and the associated high degree of media attention. It remains possible that insurgents will still seek to undermine the democratic process by conducting high profile attacks when the final results are announced. It remains prudent for international agencies in the Kabul area to maintain a high degree of security vigilance. Sporadic IDF attacks in the city centre are to be expected. Any attacks are likely to consist of between one and four 107 mm rockets launched towards the city centre.

Incidents of intimidation, executions by insurgents and targeting of government officials are increasing throughout the country. It seems to be a form of revenge by insurgents as they have lost more than 300 insurgent commanders over the past few months due to successful IM/ANSF operations.

MAJOR COUNTRY WIDE EVENTS

Wardak: Ambush against convoy – 1 x LN driver KIA, 4 x PSC WIA

Kabul: Son of local businessman kidnapped – whereabouts unknown

Kabul: Demonstration by parliamentarians who lost their seats

Khost: VBIED attack against ANA CP – 2 x ANA KIA, 10 x ANA WIA

Helmand: Ins stopped vehicle – shot and killed 2 x female local NGO staff members

Privileged and Confidential This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this information is strictly prohibited without the explicitly approval from Strategic SSI Management. Page 1 of 18 Strategic SSI - Afghanistan

Threat Reports Received Last 3 Days

03 Nov: Wardak: Kidnap threat against road construction engineers 01 Nov: Kabul: Suicide attack threat against MOD, NDS HQ and MOI

03 Nov: Kabul: Suicide attack threat against Indian Embassy

02 Nov: Kabul: Suicide attack threat against Indian Embassy

03 Nov: Nangarhar: VBIED attack threat against ANA installation

02 Nov: Ghazni: VBIED attack threat against ANP Distr HQ

BREAKDOWN OF INCIDENTS REPORTED FOR AFGHANISTAN IN SSSI DSR FOR PERIOD 03 TO 04 NOVEMBER 2010

Table illustrating the number of Killed and Wounded, Captured and Arrested as per the reporting’s of the SSSI DSR.

IM ANSF PSC/FN LN INSURGENTS

KIA WIA MIA KIA WIA MIA KIA WIA MIA KIA WIA MIA KIA WIA ARR

01 Nov 1 1 0 3 6 0 0 0 0 9 4 0 42 3 7 02 Nov 2 7 0 8 14 15 1 1 0 9 17 3 54 4 33 03 Nov 2 11 0 7 5 3 0 0 0 18 25 0 64 14 6 04 Nov 0 4 0 3 18 0 0 4 0 10 10 3 47 9 13 Nov-10 5 23 0 21 43 18 1 5 0 46 56 6 207 30 59

(Kindly note that these figures are from the SSSI DSR and are not official statistics and may differ from those released by IM or other agencies or organizations.)

SECURITY INCIDENTS REPORTED FOR PERIOD 03 TO 04 NOV 10

CENTRAL REGION

Kidnap: 02 Nov, Kabul Province, Kabul City, Police District #11 – During the evening unknown gunmen kidnapped a LN male in the Qaleh Ye Najar Area to the west of the Kabul International Airport. The victim is the son of a local businessman. The whereabouts of the victim is not known at this stage.

Demonstration: 03 Nov, Kabul Province, Kabul City, Police District #2 and #10 – Just before noon approx 200 unsuccessful candidates of the Parliamentary Elections staged a peaceful demonstration between the Serena Hotel and the Zambaq Square in the city center. The demonstrators voiced their dissatisfaction over the electoral fraud committed during the recent parliamentary election.

Insurgency, 03 Nov, Kabul Province, Musahi District – Reportedly a known insurgent commander instructed his men to emplace IEDs on the routes in Snag Newishta Area to target ANSF movements.

Insurgency, 03 Nov, Kabul Province, Kabul City – Reportedly the insurgents that are assigned to the planned suicide attack on the Indian Embassy plan to rent a compound in the close proximity of the Indian Embassy. According to the received information the insurgents are actively busy with surveillance, and they are also planning on the cooperation of LN construction workers that work inside the Indian Embassy compound.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Kapisa Province, Nerjab District – Reportedly a group of approx 25 insurgents under the command of three known insurgent commanders deployed to the Tagab and Nejrab Areas to conduct ambushed against IM and ANSF movements.

IED: 30 Oct, Pansjir Province, Bazarak District – Late during the evening an IED detonated outside an old building in the center of the Bazarak City. No casualties or damage were reported.

Ambush: 01 Nov, Wardak Province, Saydabad District – Druring the afternoon a PSC escorted IM contracted logistics convoy was ambushed by insurgents in the Salar Area on the MSR. The OSC escort responded to the attack. One LN driver was killed, and four PSC members were wounded.

IED: 02 Nov, Wardak Province, Jalrez District – During the morning a Police vehicle detonated an IED in the Takana Area. No casualties were reported.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Wardak Province, Unspecified District – Reportedly approx 40 insurgents under the command of a known insurgent commander deployed from Pakistan to the province with the aim to kidnap road construction engineers that are working on projects in the province.

Ambush: 01 Nov, Logar Province, Baraki Barak District – During the morning insurgents ambushed an IM convoy on the Wardak to Logar link road in the Mohmand Area. . The insurgents fled the scene after a brief firefight. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 01 Nov, Logar Province, Puli Alam City – During the afternoon insurgents attacked a Police Checkpoint in the area. The Police repelled the attack and no casualties were reported.

Attack: 02 Nov, Logar Province, Puli Alam City – During the afternoon insurgents attacked a Police Checkpoint in the Dadokhel Area. The Police repelled the attack and no casualties were reported.

Operations: 02 Nov, Logar Province, Muhammad Agha District – During the day the IM launched an operation in the district and arrested one insurgent.

Attack: 02 Nov, Ghazni Province, Waghaz District – During the morning insurgents attacked the PSC members of a road construction company. The insurgents fled the scene after a brief firefight. No casualties were reported.

IED: 02 Nov, Ghazni Province, Jaghatu District – During the day the IM located and destroyed several IEDs in the Khogyani Area near the District Administrative Center.

Murder: 02 Nov, Uruzgan Province, Tirin Kot District – Just before midnight insurgents shot and killed a tribal elder who was a member of Tirin Kot Shura.

WESTERN REGION

Murder: 02 Nov, Faryab Province, Almar District – Approx at noon unknown gunmen shot and killed a local resident in the Qaraye Village.

IDF Attack: 01 Nov, Badghis Province, Murghab District – During the afternoon insurgents launched five rockets towards a joint IM/ANSF facility near the District Administrative Center. The rockets impacted in an open area. No casualties were reported.

IED: 01 Nov, Badghis Province, Muqur District – During the afternoon a LN was wounded when he detonated an AP mine in the Ghal-E Zardak Area.

IED: 02 Nov, Badghis Province, Muqur District – During the morning an IM vehicle detonated an IED. Three IM members were wounded.

Success: 02 Nov, Badghis Province, Qaleh Ye Naw District – During the day a group of 15 insurgents surrendered to the government and handed in their weapons and ammunition.

Demonstration: 02 Nov, Herat Province, Herat City, Police District #1 – During the day an unknown number of students staged a peaceful demonstration outside the office of the Provincial Governor to protest against the arrest of two students by the IM on 01 Nov. The arrested students were released on 03 Nov.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Herat Province, Herat City – Reportedly insurgents concealed two RCIEDs in bags to transport the devices to the Chehel Dokhtaran and Khwajah Areas where the devices will be emplaced to target IM and ANSF movements.

NORTHERN REGION

Operations: 30 Oct, Balkh Province, Keshinde District – During the morning two Police members deployed for a mission to Tunj Village when they were surrounded by insurgents. Additional Police members had to be deployed to release them.

IED: 01 Nov, Kunduz Province, Kunduz City, Police District #1 – During the morning a RCIED detonated in the Baghzi Zerat Area. The RCIED was attached to motorcycle and targeted a government official. The driver and a body guard were wounded.

IED: 02 Nov, Kunduz Province, Khanabad District – During the afternoon the Police located and defused a RCIED in the Mahfeli Area.

Operations: 02 Nov, Kunduz Province, Chahar Darreh District – Just before noon the IM launched an air strike in the Qatliam Area. Seven insurgents were killed.

Operations: 02 Nov, Kunduz Province, Chahar Darreh District – A joint IM/ANSF operation in the Qatliam Area progressed during the day and a few more skirmished led to further casualties. Three insurgents were

Attack: 01 Nov, Takhar Province, Kwaja Ghar District – During the afternoon insurgents attacked a Police deployment between the Wolas Bacha and Tanghai Qoltogh Villages. The firefight lasted for approx one hour. No casualties were reported.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Takhar Province, Ashekamish District – Reportedly a group of approx 20 insurgents under the command of a known insurgent commander deployed to the Zadran Village. The insurgents plan to link up with insurgents already deployed in the area with the intention to attack the District Police HQ.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Takhar Province, Darqad District – Reportedly a group of approx 40 insurgents under the command of a known insurgent commander, including 10 foreign nationals, deployed to the Qara Soye Area. They are planning to attack Border Police Checkpoints.

Attack: 02 Nov, Baghlan Province, Baghlani Jadid District – Before first light insurgents attacked a Police deployment in the Khudaidad Khil Village. The firefight was reported to have lasted for approx seven hours, but no casualties or damages were reported in the initial report. Later reports indicated that three insurgents were killed, and two more insurgents were wounded.

EASTERN REGION

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Laghman Province, Mehtarlam City – Reportedly an insurgent group is planning to kidnap and murder a known Indian national who is employed by a foreign organization.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Nuristan Province, Do Ab District – Reportedly a group of approx 80 insurgents under the command of four known insurgent commanders is planning an attack on the Police District HQ.

Success: 30 Oct, Kunar Province, Pech Vally, Mano Gai District – Just before midnight an joint IM/ANSF operation was launched against an insurgent position in the Khaliqlam Area. Fourteen insurgents were killed and five more insurgents were wounded.

Attack: 30 Oct, Kunar Province, Sirkanay District – During the afternoon insurgents attacked a joint IM/ANSF installation with heavy weapons and SAF. The firefight lasted for approx 30 minutes. No casualties were reported.

Murder: 30 Oct, Kunar Province, Pech Vally, Mano Gai District – Late during the afternoon insurgents shot and killed a local resident accused of being an IM/ANSF spy.

Miscellaneous: 30 Oct, Kunar Province, Shegal District – During the day insurgents attempted to kidnap a local villager in the Khore Area. A firefight that lasted approx 25 minutes erupted between the insurgents and the local villagers. One insurgent was killed and two more insurgents were wounded.

IED: 02 Nov, Kunar Province, Asadabad District – Approx at noon a Police vehicle detonated an IED in the Kacha Area. No casualties were reported.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Kunar Province, Sakanay District – Reportedly a group of approx insurgents under the command of a known insurgent commander deployed to the district with the aim to attack ANSF Checkpoints and to kidnap government employees.

IED: 30 Oct, Nangarhar Province, Achin District – Just before noon an IM convoy vehicle detonated an IED on a secondary road in the Pekha Khowar Area. No casualties were reported.

Crime: 30 Oct, Nangarhar Province, Hisarak District – During the early hours of the morning unknown gunmen unlawfully entered the compound of a community based demining company. The gunmen stole a pick-up vehicle and numbers of demining equipment. After the intervention of the local elders, the vehicle was returned.

Ambush: 01 Nov, Nangarhar Province, Khogyani District – During the afternoon insurgents ambushed an IM convoy with heavy weapons and SAF in the Zawa Area. The firefight lasted for approx 30 minutes. Three LNs were wounded in the crossfire.

Ambush: 01 Nov, Nangarhar Province, Chaparhar District – During the evening insurgents ambushed a joint IM/ANSF convoy with heavy weapons and SAF in the Sra Qala Area. The firefight lasted for approx 20 minutes. No casualties were reported.

Crime: 01 Nov, Nangarhar Province, Jalalabad City, Zone 3 – During the day the Police arrested a LN for being in possession of a small amount of heroin.

Attack: 02 Nov, Nangarhar Province, Ghaziabad District – Just before noon insurgents attacked a Police Checkpoint with heavy weapons and SAF. The firefight lasted for approx 30 minutes. No casualties were reported.

IED: 02 Nov, Nangarhar Province, Bati Kot District – During the morning the Police located an IED on the MSR in the Sepia Area. An IM EOD Team later defused the device.

IED: 03 Nov, Nangarhar Province, Jalalabad City – During the morning an IED detonated against a civilian fuel tanker that was carrying fuel on behalf of the IM on the MSR between Jalalabad and Torkham.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Nangarhar Province, Jalalabad City – Reportedly the insurgents are rigging a vehicle as a VBIED and they are painting the vehicle to resemble an ambulance. The vehicle with the license plate #889 will be operated by several suicide bombers, equipped with suicide vests and hand grenades, for an attack on an ANA target.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Nangarhar Province – Reportedly insurgents are planning on the sabotaging and destruction of infrastructure in the province. Possible targets reported as the Pul-E Beshud Area Bridge and the Dar Wanta Dam.

SOUTH EASTERN REGION

IED: 01 Nov, Paktya Province, Chamkanay District – During the afternoon an IM vehicle detonated an IED in the Peshi Khwor Area. No casualties were reported.

IDF Attack: 02 Nov, Paktya Province, Jaji District – Just before noon insurgents launched five rockets towards the District Administrative Center. The rockets missed the intended target and impacted in a residential area. Two LNs were killed, and three more LNs were wounded.

IDF Attack: 02 Nov, Paktya Province, Wuza Zadran District – During the day insurgents launched two rockets towards a joint IM/ANSF facility. The rockets impacted inside the facility. Two ANA members were wounded.

Ambush: 03 Nov, Paktya Province, Sayed Karam District – During the afternoon insurgents ambushed the convoy of the District Administrator with SAF near the District Administrative Center. The District Administrator was wounded, and one of his body guards was killed. Privileged and Confidential This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this information is strictly prohibited without the explicitly approval from Strategic SSI Management. Page 9 of 18 Strategic SSI - Afghanistan

Success: 31 Oct, Khost Province, Musa Khel District – Late during the afternoon a joint IM/ANSF operation was launched near the District Administrative Center. The operation included a series of air strikes. Sixteen insurgents were killed.

IDF Attack: 31 Oct, Khost Province, Sabari District – During the day insurgents launched two mortar bombs towards a joint IM/ANSF installation. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 31 Oct, Khost Province, Spera District – During the day insurgents attacked an ANA Checkpoint near the District Administrative Center with RPGs and SAF. The insurgents fled the scene after a brief firefight. No casualties were reported.

IED: 31 Oct, Khost Province, Khost Matun District – During the day the IM located and defused an IED near the IM installation.

Feud: 31 Oct, Khost Province, Musa Khel District – During the day a land dispute between the Muqbil and Mangal Tribes escalated into a firefight. No casualties were reported.

Success: 02 Nov, Khost Province, Sabari District – During the night of 02/03 Nov a joint IM/ANSF operation was launched against an insurgent target. Twelve insurgents were captured, including a senior insurgent commander. Various ordinances were seized during the operation.

VBIED: 03 Nov, Khost Province, Sabari District – During the afternoon insurgents conducted a suicide VBIED attack against an ANA Checkpoint in the Yaqubi Area. Two ANA members were killed, and ten more ANA members were wounded.

IDF Attack: 31 Oct, Paktika Province, Dila District – During the day insurgents launched three mortar bombs towards an IM installation. No casualties were reported.

IDF Attack: 31 Oct, Paktika Province, Waza Khwa District – During the day insurgents launched two rockets towards the District Administrative Center. No casualties were reported.

IDF Attack: 31 Oct, Paktika Province, Barmal District – During the night insurgents launched three mortar bombs towards an IM installation. No casualties were reported.

IED: 31 Oct, Paktika Province, Sar Hawza District – During the day the Police located and defused an IED near the District Administrative Center.

IED: 31 Oct, Paktika Province, Dila District – During the day an IM vehicle detonated an IED in the Khoshamad Area. Thereafter insurgents launched several mortar bombs towards the IM convoy. One IM member was wounded in the mortar attack.

IDF Attack: 01 Nov, Paktika Province, Dila District – During the night insurgents launched three rockets towards an IM installation in the Khoshamand Area. No casualties were reported.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Paktika Province, Zurmat District – Reportedly a small group of insurgents under the command of a known insurgent commander deployed to the Moshawal Sahak Area with the aim to launch an attack on road construction personnel working in the area.

SOUTHERN REGION

Ambush: 31 Oct, Helmand Province, Lashkar Gah District – During the day insurgents ambushed an IM contracted PSC escorted logistics convoy with RPGs and SAF in the Bolan Village. The insurgents fled the scene when IM air assets arrived. No casualties or damage were reported.

Attack: 01 Nov, Helmand Province, Lashkar Gah District – During the night of 01/02 Nov insurgents launched three separate SAF attacks against IM deployments. All the attacked were ineffective and no casualties were reported.

IED: 01 Nov, Helmand Province, Musa Qala District – During the night of 01/02 Nov an IM patrol detonated an IED approx 7 Km south of the District Administrative Center. No casualties were reported.

IED: 01 Nov, Helmand Province, Musa Qala District – During the night of 01/02 Nov an IM patrol detonated an IED approx 2 Km east of the District Administrative Center. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 01 Nov, Helmand Province, Marjah District – During the night of 01/02 Nov insurgents conducted five separate SAF attacks against IM patrols. One of the attacks was to the west of the District Administrative Center, and the other four attacks were on the outskirts of Marjah. All the attacked were ineffective and no casualties were reported.

Murder: 01 Nov, Helmand Province, Nawa-I Barak Zayi District – During the day insurgents stopped a vehicle that was travelling from Garmser to Lashkar Gah District. Two of the passengers were female staff members of a local NGO. The insurgents shot and killed the two females – their bodies were recovered by the Police.

Miscellaneous: 03 Nov, Helmand Province, Undefined Districts – Reportedly there are a number of ANSF that are assigned for duty at ANSF Checkpoints that are planning to sell ANSF equipment to the insurgents. These include a Ranger truck, weapons, ammunition, etc. According to the information received the insurgents will pay in cash for the mentioned items.

Intimidation: 03 Nov, Helmand Province, Nahri Sarraj District – During the day a known insurgent commander worned LNs in the Babaji, Trenkhawar and Dashti Areas to cooperate with the government and/or NGOs. If they do, they will be beheaded.

Attack: 01 Nov, Kandahar Province, Kandahar City, Police District #1 – Early evening insurgents threw a hand grenade towards a Police deployment. Three Police members were wounded.

IED: 01 Nov, Kandahar Province, Dand District – During the evening an IED detonated as insurgents were busy emplacing the device in the Spin Zearat Area. One insurgent was killed.

IED: 02 Nov, Kandahar Province, Panjwayi District – Approx at noon a Police foot patrol guarding a road construction project detonated an IED near the Nakhoni Village. One Police member was killed.

IED: 02 Nov, Kandahar Province, Arghandab District – During the day the Police located two IEDs in the Tabin Village. An IM EOD Team later defused the devices.

Insurgency: 03 Nov, Kandahar Province, Kandahar City – Reportedly insurgents are planning a suicide attack in the city, with the possible targets reported as the Indian Consulate or an UN Agency.

Kidnap: 01 Nov, Zabul Province, Tarnak Wa Jaldak District – During the afternoon insurgents kidnapped two relative of the Provincial Council member for the Zabul Province. In the same incident the insurgents also shot and killed the nephew of the councilor.

Operations: 01 Nov, Zabul Province, Shamulzai District – During the day the IM conducted a search operation in the Jan Gee Burj Area. One middle ranked insurgent commander was killed, and the IM seized a motorcycle and 10 RPG grenades.

SPECIAL INTEREST NEWS

ISAF sees a change in trend in Afghanistan, spokesman says Earth Times 03 Nov 10

Kabul - The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan is seeing a change in the trend of the war in the southern Taliban strongholds of Kandahar and Helmand after putting enormous pressure on the insurgents, a spokesman said. "The numbers and influence of the Taliban are being reduced, not across the whole country but clearly in some regions," ISAF spokesman General Josef Blotz told the German Press Agency dpa in Kabul. ISAF had "made a qualitative and quantitative priority" of Helmand and Kandahar, and could now state that "there is indeed a change in the trend," the general said two weeks ahead of a planned NATO summit in Lisbon. An increase in civilian and military resources had yielded "improvements and indicators of smaller local successes across the country," he said.

Blotz said that the foreign troops now have "the wherewithal, opportunities, resources, structures and concepts that we always needed but were lacking until now." With 140,000 soldiers, ISAF is stronger than ever before, he said. In the past 12 months, 100,000 more Afghan security personnel have been trained up, bringing the army to 140,000 and the police to 120,000, he added. "We are now in a position that we have not been in Privileged and Confidential This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this information is strictly prohibited without the explicitly approval from Strategic SSI Management. Page 12 of 18 Strategic SSI - Afghanistan since late 2001," the general said, referring to the year the Taliban government was ousted. "We are now seeing just what can be achieved when you have the tools you really need in your box." Civilian investment in reconstruction projects and the political commitment of the international community were also considerably stronger, he said.

Blotz said the increased ISAF casualties, which this year have been the highest since operations began, were a direct consequence of expanded operations, and not a sign of failure. "If you deploy three times as many troops, allowing them to engage the Taliban in areas where they have been unchallenged for five or six years, then of course there are going to be more confrontations, and losses will rise," he said. "But taking this path, and accepting the higher risks for a while, is unavoidable," he added. He said that "hundreds and hundreds" of Taliban combatants had laid down their arms, or declared their willingness to reintegrate into society. "This alone is not enough to solve the problem, but it helps," he said.

ISAF is not responsible for any negotiations between the Taliban leadership and the national government, Blotz said. "We are not talking with the Taliban, but we do support the ongoing efforts of the government." Reconciliation talks were a matter for the Afghans, he said, but added, "I would not get my hopes too high for a reconciliation with (current Taliban leader) Mullah Omar," he said.

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U.S. improves security in Afghan province: governor

LONDON (Reuters) – Security has improved in some areas of Afghanistan's violent Helmand province where U.S. Marines have taken over from British troops, the provincial governor said Wednesday. British troops have turned over parts of Helmand, including Sangin where they suffered heavy losses, to thousands of U.S. reinforcements who moved into southern Afghanistan in the last year as part of U.S. President Barack Obama's "surge" strategy. Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal said he admired the work British forces had done in Afghanistan "but of course we have to admit that by having the Marines from the United States we have got an improved security now in some areas."

Speaking at a London news conference, Mangal put the improvement down to the U.S. forces' greater resources. "Not every country will have the finance, not every country will have the logistics and the equipment (that another country has)," he said, speaking through an interpreter. Mangal's comments hit a sensitive spot in Britain where the previous Labor government, which lost a May election, faced persistent accusations of failing to supply Britain's 9,500 troops in Afghanistan with adequate equipment. Opposition politicians and former military chiefs criticized a shortage of helicopters and an initial failure to give British troops enough armored vehicles to protect them against roadside bombs.

Britain's six-month-old coalition government has ordered an 8 percent real-terms cut in defense spending over the next four years to curb a big budget deficit, but says British troops in Afghanistan will get all the equipment they need. Mangal said the situation in Helmand, where the bulk of the British force remains based, had improved over the last two years. The Afghan government had extended its presence, law and order had been strengthened and drug cultivation cut by almost half, he said. Prime Minister David Cameron plans to withdraw most of Britain's troops from Afghanistan by 2015.

Mangal said Afghan security forces had a target of taking responsibility for a few areas of Helmand over the next year. He said he believed Afghan forces could meet the 2015 deadline for taking over security in the whole province "provided Afghan national security forces are trained as we are training them right now." He said it was possible the Afghan government could reach a peace settlement with Taliban insurgents, but said Afghan and NATO forces must keep up military pressure at the same time as offering reconciliation to the insurgents.

WEATHER FORECAST

Afghanistan Weather for Friday 05 November 2010

Kabul Jalalabad Mazar Kandahar Herat

Clear Clear Rain 20% Clear Clear

19° C | 6° C 24° C | 10° C 13° C | 6° C 22° C | 9° C 18° C | 3° C

Farah Khost Kunduz Gardez Fayzabad

Clear Clear Scattered Clouds Clear Rain 20%

18° C | 9° C 20° C | 9° C 14° C | 6° C 13° C | 2° C 20° C | 4° C

CALENDAR

30 Oct 10 - Parliamentary Election Final Results Expected 16 Nov - 17 Nov 10 - Eid-al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)

Note. Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days, depending on the region.

NEWS / INFORMATION

Probe launched into Afghanistan election body

KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan's deputy attorney general said on Wednesday an investigation has been started into allegations by candidates that the country's election commission was involved in fraud during September's parliamentary election. A September 18 poll for the lower house of parliament, or wolesi jirga, went ahead despite a Taliban threat to disrupt it but already close to a quarter of the votes have been disqualified by the Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC). The credibility of the vote will weigh heavily when President Barack Obama reviews his Afghanistan war strategy in December amid rising violence Privileged and Confidential This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this information is strictly prohibited without the explicitly approval from Strategic SSI Management. Page 14 of 18 Strategic SSI - Afghanistan and sagging public support. It will also likely be discussed at a NATO summit in Lisbon this month. "We have assigned three prosecutors to investigate staff of the election commission over allegations of fraud, based on complaints from candidates," Deputy Attorney General Rahmatullah Nazari told Reuters. Rahmatullah said a letter had been sent to the commission informing them of the investigation. The IEC could not be reached immediately on Wednesday for comment.

On Tuesday, scores of disgruntled lawmakers, candidates and their supporters demonstrated in Kabul, calling for the election to be scrapped amid allegations that IEC officials had been involved in fraud. The protesters took to the streets for a second day on Wednesday, and said they planned to hold further rallies. "We were the same numbers as Tuesday and we plan a bigger protest in Kabul on Sunday," Daoud Sultanzoy, a prominent member of parliament from Ghazni province, southwest of Kabul, told Reuters, adding he planned to visit the Attorney General later on Wednesday. "Most participants are adamant about calling for a new election. I personally am waiting to see whether the commission is willing to correct its mistakes. If they don't address these, then this will lead to a need for a new election," he said.

Preliminary results were announced following delays last month while the election body recounted votes from hundreds of polling sites. Final results, which were due at the end of last month, have been pushed back while a separate, U.N.-backed election watchdog sifts through thousands of complaints and decides whether to invalidate more votes. While thousands of formal and informal complaints have been pouring in since polling day, there had until this week been few calls for the ballot to be held again.

Western nations have been wary of following Afghan officials in dubbing the election a success after the fiasco of last year's fraud-marred presidential ballot. The top U.N. envoy in Afghanistan said last month "considerable fraud" had taken place. The IEC, which was also accused of fraud in last year's presidential poll, was given more powers this year, including the ability to disqualify votes on its own.

The U.N.-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) cannot investigate or adjudicate on ballots already thrown out by the IEC, including ballots over which complaints have been lodged. Sultanzoy, who according to preliminary results will not be re-elected, said most of his votes had been thrown out unfairly by the IEC, and the complaints watchdog should have the power to investigate ballots already disqualified by the IEC. On Tuesday the ECC said it had received more than 6,000 complaints, about 2,000 of which could affect the outcome.

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Russia Vows To Help NATO More In Afghanistan

Russia has promised to do more to help NATO in Afghanistan, but stopped short of making any specific commitments. Speaking after talks with NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "We will expand our cooperation in Afghanistan, it's in our common vital interests." Rasmussen also met with President Dmitry Medvedev, who said that "overall, relations between Russia and NATO have become more productive and intensive."

Rasmussen called a summit with NATO leaders later this month to be attended by Medvedev "a real chance to turn the page once and for all to bury the ghosts of the past." He said the Lisbon summit would be "a fresh start" for the NATO-Russia relationship. Rasmussen also said he suggested "a procedure, a way forward" on cooperation with Russia on missile defense. The meetings in Moscow were also to look at his proposal for Russia to supply Afghan government forces with helicopters and Afghan pilot training.

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Poland's Afghan mission purely training in 2012

WARSAW, Poland – Poland's leaders say they want the country's military mission in Afghanistan to become a pure training mission in 2012 and to end altogether in 2014 in line with NATO plans. President Bronislaw Komorowski and members of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government met Wednesday to discuss the position Poland will take at a NATO summit in Lisbon, Portugal, later this month. Komorowski said NATO plans to end the Afghan mission in 2014 in line with Poland's views and Warsaw would like to switch to a purely training mission in 2012. Poland has 2,600 troops in Afghanistan who train, patrol and occasionally engage in combat. Komorowski is the Polish military's commander-in-chief.

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U.S. To Spend $500 Million On Kabul Embassy

U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry briefs press about the new building

The United States has announced it would spend $511 million to expand its embassy in Kabul. Speaking at the construction site, Ambassador Karl Eikenberry said the work would enable the United States "to carry out its pledge to maintain into the future its very significant security, government, economic, and civil society programs." He said the project, which is to be completed by 2014, started earlier this year and currently employs about 500 Afghans. Once construction gets under way, more than 1,500 Afghan workers will be employed.

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Kabul's 'Bush Market': Army Gear to Go Time Magazine 03 Nov 10

Tucked behind an office building less than a mile from Kabul's police headquarters, the black-market stalls bristle with stolen American-made goods on sale at Afghan-friendly prices. Boxes of blueberry Pop-Tarts and Jack Link's Beef Jerky are stacked alongside deodorant sticks and bodybuilding protein supplements. Looking for a pair of steel-toed tactical boots or a Go Army sweatshirt? Check. Quick-dry synthetic underwear or a Leatherman tool? They have those too. In fact, just about anything available on a U.S. military base in Afghanistan can be found there, so long as one doesn't mind the added hassle of checking expiration dates or sorting through the surfeit of Chinese knockoffs. Or, for the occasional American shopper who stops by, the irony of purchasing items already paid for with U.S. tax dollars. Privileged and Confidential This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this information is strictly prohibited without the explicitly approval from Strategic SSI Management. Page 16 of 18 Strategic SSI - Afghanistan

Popularly known as the "Bush Market" and, increasingly, the "Obama Market," the warren of small shops is the largest of several commercial centers named after U.S. Presidents that have sprung up since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Indeed, the presence of foreign armies in the country has for many years spawned a supply and demand for their homegrown products. Three decades ago, during the Soviet occupation, its forerunner was called the "Brezhnev Market" after the former head of the Communist Party, and its stalls were packed with basic Russian commodities. Now, 10 years into an American-led war, hard-to-find Western items are the top draw. "I come here all the time for new clothes," says Ajmal, 27, as he browses a selection of North Face trekking shoes. "The styles are good, the prices are low. It's great."

A similar market exists outside NATO's sprawling Bagram air base in the plains north of the Afghan capital, where many of the goods are said to originate. And though much of what's available appears to be leftovers that could have been dumped outside the wire by base personnel, picked up and resold by enterprising Afghans, it's obvious that many wholesale shipments intended for U.S. troops never made it to their destination — like the crates of still usable MREs (meals ready to eat) and brand-new all-weather sleeping bags used by troops in the field. In a wartime context, some of the stuff isn't entirely harmless, either.

On a recent visit, a TIME reporter was shown an expensive set of night-vision goggles, the kind U.S. forces depend on for a tactical advantage in the dark over Taliban insurgents better versed with the terrain. Several shops had long-range laser-rifle sights of the variety used by military sharpshooters. At the Bagram market, bulletproof vests and Kevlar helmets are known to turn up. U.S. Army and Marine digital-camouflage fatigues are widely available for about $40 a set. And at another market near the capital's largest mosque, Afghan police, army and even presidential guard uniforms sell for even less. (It's not unheard of for Taliban suicide bombers disguised as Afghan security forces to infiltrate and attack large gatherings.) Yet shopkeeper Khwaja Muhammad, 23, concedes that although many of the customers are state military employees who go to buy a second uniform or have alterations done, "We sell to anybody with cash."

Asked how they came by their caches, the shopkeepers provide vague explanations or step on each other's toes to keep quiet. "We buy from a guy who gets it from another guy. That's all we know," says one. "A lot of it is gifts from the [American] soldiers," claims another, who was furiously scrubbing the name Parker off a plastic footlocker. But Farhad, 34, a merchant whose stock included authentic Under Armour athletic wear and GPS devices, explained that most of the goods are either lifted from NATO supply convoys or spirited off major bases like Bagram by foreign and Afghan contractors, and then sold to local middlemen who take a cut before distributing them to lower-level vendors like himself. Hearing this admission, his business partner cast him a wary glance.

NATO officials have said they know of the black-market trade and would intervene if there was evidence that sensitive material was being sold that could potentially pose a security threat. "We are aware that some military items do end up in bazaars near [coalition] bases. We are also aware that some items are clearly fakes," says a spokesperson, Major Sunset R. Belinsky, adding, "We do take the situation seriously." According to a senior U.S. officer serving in Afghanistan, there's typically a 3% "pilferage rate" on supplies going overland through hostile territory, a problem he thought could be mitigated with more air shipments. But he was more troubled by the idea of an inside job being perpetrated by support staff on the U.S. payroll who may be profiting on the back of those in harm's way. "Most contractors on base are not [working with the U.S.] out of patriotism or national loyalty," grumbles the officer. "They're just out to make a fast buck."

The Bush Marketeers, for their part, make no apologies for any dodgy dealings. On seeing a foreigner walk into his shop, Hamidullah, 22, reached beneath his shiny glass display case and pulled out a Panasonic Toughbook computer with a slick touch screen. The model, he boasted with a grin, is often issued to U.S. officers in the field, and came complete with extra batteries and a leather travel case. "Two thousand for the package," he says. Never mind where it came from.

ACRONYMS

AA Anti-Aircraft MNF Multi National Forces AGE Anti-Government Elements (Generic term for MO Modus Operandi insurgent groups) MOD Ministry of Defence ABP AFGHAN Border Police MOI Ministry of Interior ADZ AFGHAN Development Zone (in Central NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation HELMAND around LKG) NBC Nuclear, Biological and Chemical AEF AFGHAN Eradication Force NBD Non-Battle Death ANA AFGHAN National Army NBI Non-Battle Injury ANP AFGHAN National Police NDA NAD-e ALI (in HELMAND Province) ANSF AFGHAN National Security Forces NFDK No Further Details Known ANSO AFGHAN NGO Safety Office NGO Non-Governmental Organisation AMF AFGHAN Militia Forces NSTR Nothing Significant to Report AO Area of Operations NDS National Directorate of Security (Afghan) AP Anti-Personnel OEF Operation Enduring Freedom (US Operation APC Armoured Personnel Carrier with a separate command structure and remit to AQ Al Qaeda ISAF, predominantly operating in the ASF AFGHAN Special Forces EASTERN region) AT Anti-Tank OP Observation Point BBRCIED Bicycle Borne Remote Controlled Improvised OPCEN Operations Centre Explosive Device OPSEC Operational Security BBIED Body Borne Improvised Explosive Device P2K PAKTIKA, PAKTIA & KHOWST BDA Battle Damage Assessment PAK PAKISTAN BME Bomb Making Equipment PB Patrol Base BP Border Post PBIED Person Born Improvised Explosive Device CAS Close Air Support PD Police District CASEVAC Casualty Evacuation PEF Poppy Eradication Force CNP Counter Narcotic Police PPIED Pressure plate IED CivPop Civilian Population PRT Provincial Reconstruction Team COIN (Ops) Counter Insurgency (Operations) PSAF Precision Small Arms Fire CoP Chief of Police PSC Private Security Company CP Checkpoint PSD Protective Security Detail CQA Close Quarter Assassination QRF Quick Reaction Force CWIED Command Wire IED Recce Reconnaissance DC District Centre RC Radio controlled / Remote controlled (as in DDR Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration RCIED) DF Direct Fire RL Rocket Launcher DIAG Disarmament of Illegal Armed Groups RPG Rocket Propelled Grenade EF Enemy Forces (Generic term for insurgent RTA Road Traffic Accident groups) SAF Small Arms Fire EOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal SAFIRE Surface-to-Air Fire FOB Forward Operating Base SAM Surface-to-Air Missile FP Firing Point SF Special Forces / Security Forces GIRoA Government of the Islamic Republic of SIOC Security Information Operations Centre AFGHANISTAN SOP Standard Operational Procedure GOA Government of Afghanistan SRA Security Risk Assessment GR Grid Reference (Provided in MGRS – Military SVBIED Suicide Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Grid Reference System) Device GSK GERESHK (in HELMAND) S Suicide i.e. SIED – suicide IED, SVBIED – HIG HEZB-I-ISLAMI GULBUDDIN suicide VBIED HME Home-made explosives (usually fertiliser- TB TALIBAN based) TBD To be determined HMG Heavy Machine Gun TTPs Tactics, techniques and procedures HQ Headquarters UGV Upper GERESHK Valley (HELMAND HVT High Value Target Province) IDF Indirect fire (Rockets and mortars) UN United Nations IEC Independent Election Commission UN DSS United Nations Department of Safety and IED Improvised Explosive Device Security IM (F) International Military (Forces) USV Upper SANGIN Valley (HELMAND Province) INGO International Non-governmental Organization UXO Unexploded Ordnance INS Insurgent(s) VBIED Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device ISAF International Security Assistance Force VCP Vehicle Check Point (Also, IVCP – Illegal IVO In the Vicinity Of (i.e. mil-speak for near) VCP) JEMB Joint Election Management Body VOIED Victim Operated IED JTF Joint Task Force WB World Bank KAF KANDAHAR Airfield WFP World Food Program KAIA KABUL International Airport WIA Wounded in action KCP KABUL City Police WHO World Health Organisation KIA Killed in action LKG LASHKAR GAH (in HELMAND Province) LN Local National (i.e. Afghan) MCIED Motor cycle improvised explosive device MCN Ministry of Counter Narcotics MEDIVAC Medical Evacuation MG Machine Gun MIA Missing in action