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Issue 103 REPORT 1‐15 August 2012 Index COUNTRY SUMMARY Central Region 1-4 Incident reporting remained high during cycle, when an NGO staff member was 5-8 Northern Region Ramadan, with a notable increase in target- abducted and released in a remote part of Western Region 9-11 ed killings that is in line with AOG . “economy of force” efforts, although it 12-15 The WEST also recorded the abduction Eastern Region declined slightly in the final days as high and release of an NGO staff member in an profile attacks in population centers came Southern Region 16-19 AOG heavy portion of Farah. While tar- to the fore (see Kunduz and Nimroz). De- 20 geted killings played an important role in ANSO Info Page spite the sustained level of activities, the Ghor and Badghis, an IED strike against country is likely to see further increases - an ANP checkpoint in Herat caused the including high profile attacks - after Rama- highest number of civilian casualties, alt- HIGHLIGHTS dan, making it likely that this fighting sea- hough the highest number of fatalities oc-  Heavy civilian casualties in son will go later than that of 2011, even curred when 13 ANP policemen were IED strikes in Nimroz and though overall incident volumes remain killed by an ANP policeman in Dilaram Kunduz lower in sum. (Farah).  Sustained AOG activity In CENTRAL, the first half of August The EAST witnessed significant activity throughout Ramadan continued the notable absence of complex including three ANSF attacks on IMF, the  NGO staff members abducted or spectacular attacks in Kabul after two final NGO related incident recorded this and released in two separate separate NDS operations broke up AOG incidents in Baghlan and period - the disruption of a vehicle transit- Farah cells within the city, at least one of which ing NGO livestock through Laghman - would have had the capacity to launch a in Nangahar, Laghman,  ANBP clash with significant attack to end the ongoing lull. armed forces in Kunar and Paktya, and a sustained fire-fight be- The ability of NDS to intercept operations tween Afghan and Pakistani armed forces was further displayed by the breaking up of in Dangam (Kunar). Asadabad in Kunar a third cell in Parwan, with the only suc- was also home to a BBIED strike as AOG ANSO is supported by cessful high profile attack in the region activity around the city continued to in- being an SVBIED detonation against an crease. IMF base in Logar that caused a low num- In the single most casualty heavy incident ber of casualties but no fatalities. this year, the SOUTH witnessed multiple Civilian fatalities did occur in the NORTH, BBIED strikes in Zaranj city of Nimroz, a when a yet unclaimed RCIED detonated province that has typically witnessed only a during the evening in a crowded market of moderate volume of AOG activity. Kan- Archi (Kunduz) with no obvious target dahar, Helmand, and Ghazni maintained a identified. Targeted attacks against district high volume of security incidents, high- level leadership were noted in Faryab, lighted by an increase in targeted attacks Jawzjan, , Takhar, and Badakhshan, against ANSF personnel in Kandahar and along with an attack against an IO vehicle two “green on blue” incidents in Helmand in Qaramqol district of Faryab, the second that left seven IMF soldiers dead. In to occur in an area where a new AOG Uruzgan, a militia commander with ties to commander has become active. Baghlan ANSF/IMF killed over 10 members of a witnessed one of three NGO incidents this rival’s community and remained at large.

ANSO is a project of the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), a registered charity in England & Wales no.1140276 and a company limited by guarantee no.7496737 THE ANSO REPORT Page 1

C ENTRAL REGION

NGO Incidents ABUL Year to Date 9 KABUL K 50 This Report Period 0 The most important develop- 40 ments in the national capital’s se- neighbouring country, and the 30 curity environment in the first half targets were announced to have 20 been the residence of a GOA of August came in the form of 10 VIP, and/or the parliament. two NDS operations to disrupt 0 complex attack networks in differ- However, given the location of ent parts of the city. At 0200 hrs their forward position and the size on the 2nd, NDS QRF were dis- of their cell, their objective was patched to surround four houses likely a single target in the down- KABUL AOG KABUL Crime town area, and thus on a smaller in the Butkhak area, south of Pul- ful attack this summer, they could potentially e Charkhi in eastern Kabul, which scale than the previous attempt – although substantial all the same. extend their campaign later into the autumn. the directorate had been monitor- Regardless, this latter remains likely in compar- ing. When dawn arrived, NDS With both of these NDS opera- ison to 2011’s early draw down of AOG activi- forces forcibly entered the build- tions, and two previously in June ties. ings and killed three AOG opera- and July, complex attacks have tives without resistance, and a been absent from Kabul city since Likely targets remain governmental or military further two who briefly resisted the beginning of May (exempting facilities in downtown Kabul – which could with small arms fire. In all, five the Lake Qargha hotel siege on include a continuation of the opposition pref- were killed with no arrests, while a June 22nd) when a complex attack erence for storming a well-situated high-rise large quantity of explosives and against an international residential civilian building to attack nearby targets – as weaponry was also seized from compound on the Road, well as security force bases on the eastern and the site, including a VBIED. Sub- PD 9 was staged to mark the an- southern edges of the city. However, it is edi- sequent reports indicated that the nouncement of the opposition’s fying for the NGO community to note that in NDS were in fact expecting to summer fighting season. The the 34 major complex/suicide attacks that find a significantly larger group at ability of security forces to disrupt have taken place in Kabul since the summer of the site, a fact consistent with the attempts within the national capi- 2009, none have led to any NGO fatalities or quantity of weaponry and equip- tal places escalating reputational casualties. ment found at the compound. As pressures on the armed opposi- In other developments of note, two IED inci- such, the planned complex attack tion to launch such an attack in dents targeting Ministry of Defense vehicles was likely to have engaged signifi- the late summer – in order to were recorded during the past fortnight. First, cant - if not multiple - targets demonstrate their ongoing capa- in Kart-e Naw, a magnetic IED attached to an across the city, and in this way, its bility in this strategically important ANA ranger detonated while its operator, a disruption can be understood as a regard. driver for the ministry, was inside his home; no significant operation for the NDS. There are two implications of this. casualties were sustained although the vehicle Nine days later on the 11th, an First, the armed opposition is like- was destroyed. Second, in Paghman, an NDS QRF operation against a ly to continue to attempt such RCIED targeted an armoured vehicle bringing local hotel in PD 1 led to the de- attacks in the short term, with MOD employees to the ministry from Pa- tention of six AOG operatives, as some potential for such attacks to ghman on the main district road, as well as its well as the seizure of unconfirmed be coordinated with the occur- ANP escort; however, it human error on the numbers of ANA uniforms, rence of national holidays such as part of the trigger man appears to have caused BBIED vests, and light and heavy Eid, Independence Day or Mas- the IED to instead strike a civilian bus, killing weapons. One of the individuals soud Day. Second, if the opposi- eight passengers, one of whom was coinci- was confirmed to be from a tion is unable to launch a success- dentally an ANA soldier, with the rest civilians. THE ANSO REPORT Page 2

NGO Incidents P ANJSHIR Year to Date 0 PANJSHIR 50 This Report Period 0 In just the second AOG-initiated 40 incident in Panjshir this year, two HIG appears to have a questiona- 30 ble relationship with the IEA. rockets were fired at the 20 ANP/NDS office in the Dara However, it is believed that the 10 DAC area on August 9th, both commander and his group have at 0 missing their targets. This inci- least temporarily turned to work dent is the first kinetic manifesta- with the IEA, and this recent IDF tion of recently detected infiltra- incident – and his success in evad- tion by a small armed opposition ing recent ANSF attempts to ar- PANJSHIR AOG PANJSHIR Crime rest him in Dara, where many group into the east of the prov- high position in national institutions. Howev- members of his family continue to ince from neighbouring Nuristan. er, if the consistent expansion of opposition live – testifies to their intent to The AOG commander responsi- power in all its neighbouring provinces – par- ble, who is a Dara local, was his- cultivate a kinetically active profile ticularly Nuristan and Laghman in the east and in this part of the province. torically affiliated with Hezb-e Kapisa and Parwan to the south – continues Islami (and therefore very far out- Indeed, the emergence of an ac- into the future to creep up on the province’s side the mainstream in such a Ja- tive opposition group in this man- borders, Panjshir’s “splendid isolation” may be miat stronghold); consistent with ner is indicative of a deeper truth evermore troublesome to maintain. That be- this, the group’s motivations are about the Panjshir. It is the case ing said, given how hostile the Panjshir is to understood to be primarily finan- that the province, created shortly armed opposition activity of any kind, and giv- cial and local political in nature, after the fall of the gov- en how well represented the province is in the rather than ideological in any ernment, has remained more insu- national political and security elite, it is highly meaningful sense. Indeed, in lated from the wider conflict than unlikely that any significant AOG-driven de- western Nuristan where the group anywhere else in , stabilization will take place there in the short appears to be normally based, with its elite focused on securing or medium term.

NGO Incidents KAPISA K APISA Year to Date 1 50 This Report Period 0 40 There has been a small but nota- ble increase in opposition activity only were two policemen killed in 30 in Kapisa, focused in the centre of separate attacks in Sherkhel and 20 the contested Tagab, where a Qorghal – both close to the DAC 10 on the main district road – but an small number of IMF units con- 0 tinue to be present, having had IMF soldier was also killed in an- the timeframe for their departure other AOG ambush in Qorghal renegotiated by the provincial on the 7th, which also injured an authorities; as such, small but op- ANP policeman. However, later KAPISA AOG KAPISA Crime erationally active IMF detach- on the same day an ANSF/NDS operation took place in Qorghal where in the province was an RCIED strike ments will remain in Tagab and against an ANA convoy in Hisa-ye Dowum Nijrab for the coming three that managed to kill two AOG fighters and seize their weapons – Kohistan, in an area normally lacking an active months, while air support will also AOG operational presence; this is just the remain available to the ANSF. indicating the ability of the ANSF to inflict at least tactical blows on third AOG-initiated incident in the district This moderate increase in insecu- the armed opposition in AOG- since 2009, the previous two both taking the rity in Tagab, returning to early dominated areas. But is remains form of IEDs earlier this year, neither of summer levels after a short Rama- unlikely that such tactical achieve- which was successful in striking a target. In zan downturn, does however ments are enough to undercut the the event, which took place on the main dis- demonstrate the challenges that strong strategic position of the trict road in the Murad Bazaar area, just north the ANSF continue to face re- opposition in Tagab. of Mahmud Raqi, an ANA soldier was killed gardless of IMF presence in this and three others injured, in what amounts to a part of the province. Indeed, not The most notable incident else- notable escalation by the opposition. THE ANSO REPORT Page 3

NGO Incidents B AMYAN Year to Date 0 BAMYAN 50 This Report Period 0 Bamyan continued to see worry- 40 ing signs of the growing strength targeting the NDS QRF, the 30 of armed opposition forces in its branch of the security forces that 20 received the biggest slice of the northeast in the past fortnight, 10 funding during the process of se- after recording further intensifica- 0 tion of the kinetic targeting of its curity transition in summer 2011, security forces on August 4th. as well as international forces, demonstrates both a confidence While returning from an early BAMYAN AOG BAMYAN Crime morning patrol to Eshpushta, an and tactical skill broadly absent NDS QRF convoy came under from the opposition in the area in recent years – particularly given represents the final security force post in concerted attack by a large oppo- Bamyan before crossing the district border, the sition cadre, pinning them down the more than half dozen casual- ties they managed to inflict, the attack was therefore symbolic in terms of ultimately for 16 hours, and killing demonstrating both ongoing AOG capability six QRF soldiers, as well as two highest death toll from a single incident in the province recorded the day after such a large assault, and the final IMF soldiers that arrived on the frontier of Bamyan security force authority. scene later as part of the IMF sup- by ANSO. Moreover, the size of port force. A further 10 QRF and the force and the quantity of wea- When combined with substantial insecurity on six IMF soldiers were injured, ponry needed to credibly sustain Ghorband and Wardak access routes, these with AOG casualties remaining such a protracted firefight against developments are a significant concern for unclear. a large number of well-trained Bamyan’s security environment; however, its security forces – as well as to carry center and west continue to be quiet, and Coming after a pattern of attacks away their casualties, as is normal much of the current insecurity is seasonal, with on GOA and ANP targets in during such large rural assaults – the late autumn and winter likely to see the nearby areas in the previous two would have been considerable. opposition cadres involved in generating the months, including two incidents The following day, AOG fighters present insecurity leaving their current areas of that collectively killed nine police, operation for home soil. this assault represented a signifi- then attacked the much-pressured cant further escalation. For one, ANP CP at Eshpushta, which

NGO Incidents PARWAN P ARWAN Year to Date 0 50 This Report Period 0 Compared with recent periods, 40 incident volumes were notably firefight between the QRF and an 30 lower in Parwan over the past armed opposition cell staged in a 20 fortnight, experiencing only a local house, in which one NDS 10 small amount of insecurity on the soldier was killed and seven oppo- 0 Ghorband road, and two signifi- sition fighters were arrested, cant events elsewhere. Firstly, just alongside weapons and ANA uni- PARWAN AOG PARWAN Crime two AOG operations were rec- forms – in what was clearly orded along the Kabul-Bamyan planned to be a significant (albeit of incident is highly unusual, and comes during highway, each taking the form of non-suicide) attack on a govern- the same fortnight of a number of other AOG an attack on an ALP CP, with no ment or security force target. operations across the central region that led to fatalities in either incident; howev- Also, early the morning of the significant civilian fatalities; however, local er, in one of the incidents a mid- same day in Bagram, an AOG AOG cadres such as the one involved in the level ALP commander was injured cadre opened fire on a local vehi- above incident have usually appeared relatively in the exchange of fire. cle travelling to Mahmud Raqi for careful to avoid intentionally killing civilians, By contrast, in Jabal Saraj, an goods, killing six civilians – having and such incidents as the one above can be NDS QRF operation just outside mistakenly identified the passen- understood to be strong outliers to the stand- the town on August 4th led to a gers as ALP policemen. This sort ard conflict parameters in the region. THE ANSO REPORT Page 4

NGO Incidents L OGAR Year to Date 5 LOGAR This Report Period 0 50 As with the previous period, Log- 40 IMF withdrawal occurs, they are ar experienced a further SVBIED 30 operation against an IMF base, busy actively increasing their so- 20 this time in the Padkhwana Shana cio-political authority in rural are- area roughly five kilometers south as, which remain their most natu- 10 of town on August 7th. ral constituencies. 0 The vehicle used was a large Also in Puli Alam district, a num- truck, similar to other SVBIEDs ber of IEDs were targeted at in the southeastern region over ANSF across the district, focused LOGAR AOG LOGAR Crime in the main town and in the Po- the past two years; the quantity of were executed the same day, with the rest re- rak/Kolangar bazaar area; most explosives that can be packed into maining in custody at the time of writing. notably, a pressure plate IED was such a large vehicle was amply There was also a single attack on the district accidentally detonated by a local demonstrated by the blast, which ANP HQ late on the 7th, comparable to an on a secondary road just off the demolished much of the perime- attack on the similarly encircled Kharwar DAC main Puli Alam bazaar, killing him ter of the base. However, as with that occurred on the same night. the previous SVBIED in Baraki and injuring two other civilians. For the security forces, IMF activity was fo- Barak, there was a relatively low In Charkh, further evidence of the cused on Baraki Barak, where an airstrike killed number of casualties, in this in- ability of the opposition was man- seven AOG fighters in Lachikhel, while a stance the injury of 11 local civil- ifest in the mass abduction of nine ian employees and two IMF sol- clearing operation in Alozai killed one fighter local civilian employees of the and saw the arrest of six others. In Puli Alam, diers. Such large attacks are being IMF facility in the district; who ANP and ANA conducted an operation in used by the southeastern AOG were detained while travelling on Babus, killing four, while ANP intercepted an leadership to mask an overall drop the main district road in the in kinetic activity. However, as AOG member driving a stolen car in the Aba- Nawshar area. Three of the nine zak area, shooting and killing him.

NGO Incidents ARDAK Year to Date 3 WARDAK W 70 This Report Period 0 60 Overall incident volumes re- 50 mained stable in Wardak, exhibit- the most significant incident was 40 ing little variance from July levels; the targeted killing of a local HIG 30 however, there were some notable commander, part of the ongoing 20 shifts in focus. Most particularly feuding between IEA and HIG 10 this was seen in a significant de- cadres there; the SAF ambush 0 crease in insecurity along the high- took place in Khan Jankhel, while the following day members of his way in Nirkh and Maidan Shahr, WARDAK AOG WARDAK Crime which saw a near total absence of family were targeted with an IED the IED and SAF incidents that in the same area, killing one – in what was likely to be a clear warn- their activities in the wake of these operations; had been so prevalent up to this th ing sign to other HIG leaders. most significantly, on the 8 they abducted point; the insecurity that did occur two ALP policeman and an ANA soldier in the concentrated on Saydabad, where Jalrez saw a further intensification Zaywalat area, killing a policeman and the sol- PSC convoys absorbed the bulk of its conflict in the past fortnight. dier shortly after, and keeping the remaining of the casualties, seeing six guards After the IMF airstrike that killed policeman in custody. They also staged am- st killed in two separate incidents. five AOG members on July 31 , bushes of ANP, ANA and IMF convoys on Remaining incidents targeted and a number of ANSF clearing the main district road during the period, inflict- ANSF convoys and fuel tankers, operations shortly before that, it ing some casualties but no fatalities. This inse- with no fatalities sustained. could have been expected that curity will likely continue into the Autumn, By contrast in Nirkh, insecurity AOG cadres in the area would partly because the strategic AOG objective of primarily took the form of IED have chosen to engage in a tactical constricting access to Bamyan is focused on incidents on secondary roads, but pause. In fact, they stepped up this district. THE ANSO REPORT Page 5

N ORTHERN REGION

NGO Incidents KUNDUZ K UNDUZ Year to Date 1 50 This Report Period 0 The most significant incident of 40 this cycle took place on 14 Au- to target civilians, it is not openly 30

gust, when an RCIED attached to sanctioned by AOG leadership. 20 a motorbike exploded in the mid- and Chahar Dara, 10 dle of a busy market in the Archi both traditional sources of insecu- district center. The explosion in- rity, accounted for the largest 0 curred the highest number of ci- number of security incidents this vilian casualties in Kunduz this cycle - with nine and ten respec- KUNDUZ AOG KUNDUZ Crime year, at 13 confirmed killed and 35 tively - however, AOG-initiated injured, and was second region incidents were also recorded in was attacked with RPGs in Khanabad after the wide only to the BBIED attack Archi prior to the explosion (6 private construction company contracted by a against the wedding in Samangan total), all targeting ANP and ALP. GOA office failed to pay religious taxes to a in July that killed 23 and injured In a further indication that high- local AOG. The incident was another demon- 65. The apparent lack of any profile attacks in the Northern stration of the continuing pressure being put known ANSF, IMF or GOA tar- districts of the province may be on local populations in the district and get in the area marks the incident on the rise, ALP killed a suicide throughout the region at large. as a strong outlier that runs coun- bomber as he was approaching a ter to the observed AOG target- In all, Kunduz recorded a 17% increase in the checkpoint in Imam Sahib at the rate of reported incidents compared to the ing patterns in the North. Further end of the reporting period on 15 to this, no group has yet claimed PRP. However, similar to , August, a day after the attack in ANSF and IMF continue to put pressure on responsibility for the attack, indi- Archi. cating that if there was a decision AOGs in the province, initiating 44% of the Lastly, a school construction site total incident volume for the period.

NGO Incidents J AWZJAN Year to Date 1 JAWZJAN This Report Period 0 50 The province recorded a 45% 40 decrease in reported activity com- Jawzjan hit their target, nor did 30 pared to the PRP, with only six they cause damage or casualties. incidents reported in five districts. Due to the downturn in fighting 20 Four AOG-initiated incidents in Darzab and Qush Tepa districts 10 included three RCIED detona- - both traditional pockets of AOG 0 tions, one of which took place on activity - the rate of incident re- the outskirts of Shibirghan city at porting in these districts is now 0900 against a passing IMF con- comparable to that of the previ- JAWZJAN AOG JAWZJAN Crime voy, and another failed to hit the ously calm Mingajik. Since the ANP vehicle in Darzab this cycle, in contrast, passing vehicle of the Mingajik beginning of May, Mingajik has only one AOG-initiated incident in Mingajik district governor on the Mingajik- recorded four AOG-initiated inci- since the beginning of the year has targeted the Aqcha road. The latter explosion dents, the same as Qush Tepa and ANSF, with - besides the current incident - the was the second attack on a district one less than Darzab. However, other two targeting civilians. The decreased governor that day, after a similar while Darzab and Qush Tepa activity in Darzab and Qush Tepa and increase incident took place in the Dawlat- continue to target “hard targets,” in Mingajik is likely the result of ANSF/IMF abad (Balkh) district center an including an attack against ALP focus on the prior two (and lack of focus on hour earlier. Overall, none of the checkpoints in Qush Tepa and an Mingajik) combined with possible spill over of three RCIEDs that detonated in RCIED detonation against an AOG activity from Balkh and Sar-e Pul. THE ANSO REPORT Page 6

NGO Incidents B ALKH Year to Date 2 BALKH 50 This Report Period 0 The end of this cycle saw the first 40 recorded IED detonation in ations. Eight ANSF-initiated inci- 30 dents were recorded in Chimtal Mazar-i Sharif this year occur 20 along a secondary road and cause district during this reporting peri- no injuries. A second IED was od alone, resulting in the removal 10 also discovered in the area at- of six IEDs and arrests of 13 0 tached to an abandoned bike. AOG members and a close rela- The two IEDs were most likely tive of an influential AOG com- BALKH AOG BALKH Crime intended to target the ANP who mander. frequently use the road in ques- In another incident signalling the populations in Balkh. This was evident in an tion. It should be noted that alt- relocation of AOGs beyond tradi- incident where an outspoken and publicly ac- hough the two IEDs were placed tional hotspots, the vehicle of the tive headmistress of a local school was killed within the city limits, they were governor was inside her own house after having received outside of the city’s security pe- targeted by an IED in the district numerous threats. Further to this, in Dawlata- rimeter, in an area that is infre- center, killing one civilian and bad a grenade was thrown into the residence quently patrolled and relatively injuring two. The attack was one of another headmaster, injuring his son, and accessible from Balkh district. of four that occurred against dis- numerous teachers have received demands to The incident conforms to the trict governors in the North this turn over part of their salary to AOGs as a trend of highly-visible attacks be- cycle, and took place on the same religious tax. Incidents of this type point to an ing staged in previously calm dis- day as a similar incident in neigh- effort on the part of AOGs to establish their tricts in western parts of the prov- bouring Jawzjan. presence in areas where their influence may be ince, as AOGs are being pushed Besides attacks against ANSF and somewhat weaker, and where they feel that out of Chimtal and Chahar Bolak GOA officials, AOGs have also threats against local populations must be ac- by frequent ANSF and IMF oper- been putting pressure on civilian companied by violent intimidation.

NGO Incidents B AGHLAN Year to Date 3 BAGHLAN This Report Period 1 50 In the only NGO incident of the 40 reporting period, an INGO na- ANSF and IMF continued to ex- tional staff member was abducted ercise substantial pressure on 30 while travelling by himself in a AOGs in Puli Khumri and 20 remote area on the border be- Baghlani Jadid, where a combined 10 tween Andarab and Dushi dis- total of 11 ANSF/IMF-initiated 0 tricts on 5 August. He was taken incidents took place. In Puli by four armed men, who were Khumri only one AOG-initiated identified by the local community incident was recorded, however in BAGHLAN AOG BAGHLAN Crime as an AOG that occasionally visits Baghlani Jadid AOGs continued Tala wa Barfak recorded the first attack against the area. The man was let go the to be active along the Puli- the DAC since 2010, when four RPG rockets following morning after a delega- Khumri - Kunduz road, where were fired towards the center (but impacted in tion from his home village came four RCIEDs detonated against an open area) on 11 August. The incident con- to ask for his release. The inci- ANP vehicles in Fabrika and formed to the trend observed across the dent marks the first abduction Charshanbe Tepa areas. The tar- Northern Region throughout the cycle, where recorded in the area and the first geting pattern on the main road high-profile targets such as DACs and district NGO abduction recorded in remains consistently focused on governors were attacked in districts with Baghlan this year. the ANP, however the timing of known AOG presence, but low volumes of the attacks has been shifting into Overall, the province recorded 29 recorded incidents. In context, an RPG attack daytime hours, with one attack incidents during the first two against the DAC demonstrates AOG presence occurring at 1130 and another at weeks of August, which marks a while requiring a relatively low level of effort. 16% increase from the PRP. 1600. THE ANSO REPORT Page 7

NGO Incidents F ARYAB Year to Date 3 FARYAB This Report Period 0 50 For the second time since the be- 40 ginning of July, an IO convoy was incidents rose by 13% compared 30 targeted in the Alti Bolak area of to the PRP - putting August on Qaramqol district on 2 August, pace to record the most AOG 20 when an RCIED exploded in activity of any month this year - 10 front of the lead vehicle on the and included four attacks against 0 Maymana-Shibirghan road. The ANP checkpoints and seven previous attack on 8 July, a SAF against ANP patrols. ambush, took place off the main The sustained level of AOG activ- FARYAB AOG FARYAB Crime ity was partly due to an increase in road in the same area. The attacks AOGs also continued to exercise pressure on incident reporting in the north of demonstrate an increased target- local communities through targeted killings. the province, where seven AOG- ing of high profile vehicles - in- The former district governor of Almar sur- cluding those of IOs - with almost initiated incidents were recorded vived a SAF attack in Maymana, a female em- in Qurghan, Qaramqol and And- all the previous incidents on the ployed by the CIP project was killed inside her khoy. The incidents included a Qaramqol portion of the road house in Dawlatabad, and a civilian was killed noon attack against an ANP having targeted ANSF and GOA in Almar. AOG-initiated attacks against villag- elements, as low-profile vehicles checkpoint in Andkhoy that left es also continued in Qaysar, where an attack two ANP policemen dead on 8 continue to pass through the area against Hazara Qala village was repelled with August and a hand grenade uninhibited. Anecdotal reporting ANP and ALP assistance after a six hour long thrown at the vehicle of the suggests that the increased attacks fire-fight. are likely the work of a new AOG Qurghan district governor on 11 commander in this area who may August. In comparison, the three Amongst this, ANSF appeared relatively pas- be trying to establish a name for districts recorded only two AOG- sive across the entire province, with no ANSF- himself. initiated incidents altogether in initiated incidents recorded. Even allowing for June and July. late reporting, this is a significant drop in activ- The number of AOG-initiated ity in comparison to the 14 recorded in July.

NGO Incidents B ADAKHSHAN Year to Date 6 BADAKHSHAN This Report Period 0 50 During the first two weeks of Au- 40 in the same area on the Arghanj- gust 14 incidents were reported in 30 Badakhshan, a 27% increase over Khwa—Shighnan road. The lat- 20 the PRP. The seven recorded ter SAF ambush marked the AOG-initiated incidents took fourth and the final attack on a 10 place in five districts, indicating a district governor recorded during 0 spread of AOG activity from this cycle in the Northern Region, Warduj, one of the centers of and killed the district governor AOG presence in Badakhshan, along with three other passengers. BADAKHSHAN AOG BADAKHSHAN Crime further across the province. The DAC in also eventually mediated by high-ranking officials Three of the recorded AOG- saw an attack this period when an of the political party that both the VIP and the initiated incidents took place in RPG was fired at the ANP HQ COP belong to, but on 11 August a peaceful Arghanj Khwa, a previously calm on 6 August. demonstration protesting the inability of the district that recorded only one Criminality continued to be of police to reduce the crime rate in the city AOG-initiated incident in 2012 concern in Fayzabad city, where marched to the provincial governor’s office prior to this cycle. The incidents an armed confrontation between a nonetheless. A number of criminal incidents included an attack on the DAC in relative of a local VIP and two in Faryzabad have been accredited to interper- the form of three RPGs that im- bodyguards of the provincial COP sonal disputes initiated by local VIPs and their pacted in an open area, and am- developed into a demand for the relatives, and the ANP often does not involve bushes against an ANP patrol and dismissal of the COP by the VIP itself in such incidents, contributing to the nar- a vehicle carrying the Shignan dis- and his supporters. The resulting rative that they are unable to properly operate. trict governor on 8 and 14 August conflict between the two was THE ANSO REPORT Page 8

NGO Incidents S AR- E PUL Year to Date 2 SAR‐E PUL This Report Period 0 50

The province maintained a similar 40 level of incident reporting to the head of the local CDC was ab- previous fortnight, with nine inci- ducted from his house with his 30 dents recorded. Two thirds of body returned to the villagers the 20 those incidents took place in Sari following day, while in the other, 10 Pul district, which has this year the father of an ALP member was 0 been the focal point of AOG ac- killed during a home invasion. A tivity, and where such activity has second killing of a CDC head also been steadily increasing since the took place in , SAR‐E PUL AOG SAR‐E PUL Crime when the CDC head and another drop that followed the attack on CDC head in question had a number of inter- elder were shot at a hotel together the prison in Sar-e Pul city on 7 personal disputes in the area, making it likely with the owner. Unlike in Sari June. that his death was a result of an ACG targeted Pul, where intimidation of the Intimidation campaigns featured killing. prominently, and out of the five civilian population has been re- ported with some regularity, AOG The main road between Sari Pul and Shibir- AOG-initiated incidents in the ghan did not record any incidents this period, district, two consisted of evening presence had not been recorded in Gosfandi in recent months, and with ANSF forces deployed along the road attacks against locals inside their maintaining a high defensive posture. homes. In the first incident, a according to local accounts the

NGO Incidents T AKHAR Year to Date 0 TAKHAR This Report Period 0 50 Takhar recorded no incidents over 40 killed all of the occupants on the the first eight days of the report- 30 ing period, a silence which was spot. broken by an RCIED detonation The attack marks an outlier in 20 against the vehicle of a former Ishkamish, where only two AOG- 10 jihadi commander on 9 August. initiated incidents were recorded 0 Ishkamish, a district with known prior to this cycle in 2012. How- AOG presence but usually low ever, it was one of the five attacks volumes of incident reporting, on high-ranking district-level offi- TAKHAR AOG TAKHAR Crime cials recorded in the Northern accounted for three out of four them occurred in areas with a known AOG incidents recorded in the province region during this cycle, in which two out of the five targeted offi- presence, but relatively low volumes of sus- this cycle. The most significant of tained AOG activity - like Ishkamish - sug- these was an RCIED detonation cials were killed. It is notable that amongst the higher profile attacks gesting a temporary preference towards some- against a vehicle that carried the what softer target areas in areas with less active district Mayor and four other pas- this cycle (including those on dis- trict governors and the RCIED ANSF/IMF presence (ie: Archi in Kunduz, sengers on 13 August. The explo- Mingajik in Jawzjan, Dawlatabad in Balkh). sion destroyed the vehicle and detonation in Kunduz), most of

EID MUBARAK: ANSO would like to wish everyone in the NGO community and their families Eid Mubarak. THE ANSO REPORT Page 9

W ESTERN REGION

NGO Incidents G HOR Year to Date 9 GHOR This Report Period 0 50 While the overall volume of secu- 40 middle of August in 2011. Speak- rity incidents recorded in the 30 province remained low this peri- ing to this increase, four cases 20 od, a notable three of the four have now occurred over the most AOG authored incidents to occur recent two reporting cycles, and 10 were related to targeted killings tactically, of the seven total, six 0 that involved district level or have involved the use of RCIEDs. above GOA/ANSF officials. In While the total volume of targeted , an RCIED detona- killings still remains a relatively GHOR AOG GHOR Crime tion killed a Provincial Council unsubstantial percentage of pro- his three bodyguards were killed during an member as he was in transit by vincial AOG operations, it is rea- ANP operation, and the following month (01 car. Another RCIED explosion sonable to assume that such inci- July), ANP arrested another influential local hit the district COP as he was on dents will continue or increase in AOG commander and six other AOG mem- foot in the Charsada DAC the near future as part of the bers in Sakhi Rahmani. Perhaps most critical- (resulting in his death), and in the AOG movement towards ly, AOG lost a major access route from the last instance, AOG attacked the ‘economy of force” measures, south through Murghab Valley since 02 July, private residence of the Saghar especially in remote areas of the when an armed clash occurred between a district COP resulting in injuries province in the east (Dawlat Yar) prominent local commander and another local to one ANP policeman. and the west (Saghar, Tulak and AOG cadre from the valley. Shahrak) - where AOGs have a While conflicting reports exist as Further adding to the above, ANSF has recent- to the involvement of a local pow- limited presence - as well as in the north, where AOG influence has ly mobilized a large deployment to Chagh- erbroker and a trib- charan while also mounting pressure on the al/interpersonal dispute in the recently weakened due to relative- ly new changes in the local dy- southern part of Charsada (where ANSF con- first of these - suggesting the po- ducted a clearing operation in Khafak and tential for increased tensions be- namics (Charsada and the north of Chaghcharan - see below). Qondagh areas on 08 July). AOG ranks were tween the two conflicting groups - further depleted when 12 AOG members the use of RCIEDs by AOGs Charsada – the AOG stronghold (including their commander) joined the APRP against ANSF/GOA targets re- in the northern enclave – experi- this cycle. While the low level of IED activity mains consistent with regional and enced a series of significant events in Charsada (in total this year there has been countrywide trends, and all three over the past two months that has only one effective RCIED detonation and two are assessed as likely AOG driven. diminished AOG pres- insignificant IED incidents) makes it too early In fact, AOG targeted killings of ence/leadership, and thus could to determine whether such tactics will increase, provincial/district level leadership potentially shift their tactical pref- the above places a clear pressure on AOGs to has been on the increase, with erences towards more asymmetric conduct operations with a significantly dimin- seven such incidents recorded tactics, particularly the use of ished presence, and as such, may limit their use thus far this year, as compared to RCIEDs. On 09 June, the Dis- of close range attacks. only two witnessed through the trict Shadow Governor along with

NOTICE: The graphs provided in the report are accurate as of the 15th of August, 2012. THE ANSO REPORT Page 10

NGO Incidents H ERAT Year to Date 5 HERAT 50 This Report Period 0 Herat city experienced an RCIED 40 kan district COP. However, over- explosion which involved a signif- 30 icant number of local civilian cas- all the province witnessed a de- ualties. The device, which was cline in AOG activity, with only 20 attached to a bicycle, detonated in 13 AOG incidents recorded this 10 cycle, a 55% decrease compared the immediate vicinity of an ANP 0 check post (PD2) and resulted in to the previous period. at least 15 civilians and two ANP AOGs remained most active in policemen sustaining injuries. Shindand, which accounted for HERAT AOG HERAT Crime 54% of the total volume of AOG Although this suggests that the celerated the ALP program by supporting a incidents in the province. In civilians were collaterally involved particular armed group/tribe which has a Shindand, five close range con- (rather than targeted), it demon- longstanding dispute with another that allies strates a willingness to incur civil- ventional attacks and two effec- with the IEA. Further intensification of the tive IED detonations - mainly ian casualties. IEDs remain a po- conflict between these two groups/tribes is against ANSF - were recorded, tential risk in the suburbs outside expected as the program continues. of Herat City as well, with a road- three of them directly targeting side IED detonating against locals ALP. In fact, while the district Lastly, the Provincial COP was replaced as a riding a motorcycle and the ANSF experienced 31 AOG incidents result of a strike initiated by local businessmen discovery of a roadside IED in thus far this year - a 26% decrease and doctors in protest against allegedly grow- Injil. compared with the same period ing abduction cases. Despite such claims, the volume of criminal abductions remains almost As with elsewhere in the country, last year - the number of incidents targeting ALP increased from two unchanged from last year’s, with ten recorded the province continued to experi- in 2012 as compared to 11 over the same peri- ence the targeted killing of district to 14, accounting for 45% of the total AOG incidents recorded this od last year, suggesting the possibility that the level leadership, when an RCIED strike - as well as the COP replacement - was detonation wounded the Adras- year. This is of note, as IM- F/ANSF had established and ac- more politically motivated than substantive.

NGO Incidents B ADGHIS Year to Date 2 BADGHIS This Report Period 0 50 AOG in Badghis maintained a of IMF/ANSF to stabilize the 40 relatively high operational tempo, 30 accounting for 19 incidents this district for the expected construc- 20 cycle. Within this, the geograph- tion of the unfinished section of ical distribution of AOG activity the ring road, as well as the strate- 10 has shifted since June from the gic importance of disrupting 0 traditional AOG hotspots of AOG networks/movements be- Murghab, Muqur and Qadis to- tween Badghis and Farayab wards Ghormach. Ghormach has (North). Strategically, it appears BADGHIS AOG BADGHIS Crime been the site of 29 AOG attacks that security forces are focused on militia/ALP building and the dis- rarely resulting in fatalities/casualties on since the beginning of July, ac- ANSF/IMF side. counting for 38% of the total ruption of AOG network hubs AOG incidents recorded in the rather than engaging in direct con- Further highlighting an increase in targeted province over that period. In frontations. To this point, 90% of killings across the country, an RCIED detona- contrast, the district was responsi- the total AOG incidents recorded tion wounded the district COP in Jawand. ble for only 9% of the total AOG in this district since the beginning While this attempt remained a significant outli- initiated incidents recorded over of June have been close range er to district security dynamics (the district has first five months of the year. conventional attacks on ANSF, experienced only four AOG incidents thus far mostly sporadic and ineffective, this year), such incidents will likely continue - This intensification is likely a reac- carried out by small units and albeit at a generally low rate - throughout tion against the increased efforts Badghis in line with countrywide trends. THE ANSO REPORT Page 11

NGO Incidents FARAH F ARAH Year to Date 1 100 This Report Period 1 Farah experienced its first NGO 80 over the same period last year (13 incident this year when a local 60 of those authored by AOG). This AOG cadre abducted an NGO 40 doctor while he was traveling by potentially indicates an increase in public transport vehicle in Gu- the importance of local communi- 20 listan. After approximately 12 ty influence to AOG cadres in 0 hours in captivity, the hostage was Farah, which is playing out at the released unharmed following the operational level. interferences of tribal elders. It is Overall AOG activity decreased FARAH AOG FARAH Crime important to note that while this period with 11 AOG au- nation against an ANP vehicle and two cases NGO incidents have been ex- thored incidents recorded, follow- related to hand-grenade attacks against ANP), tremely rare in the province, all ing the same pattern observed last indicating AOG efforts to demonstrate their three NGO incidents last year year during Ramadan (although presence in the capital despite an operational were related to abductions au- not a pattern that has been repli- pause in rural areas. It is reasonable to assume thored by AOG, two of which cated this year throughout the that the volume of AOG incidents will likely occurred in July 2011 involving country at large). The decline in increase again after EID in line with last year’s mass abductions. While the exact AOG activity is apparent in just pattern. circumstances of all the cases six cases involving IEDs or AP- were dissimilar, in each instance mine detonations and one close Another significant incident recorded this cycle some or all of the abductees were range conventional attack record- occurred when an ANP policeman originating released due to negotiation efforts ed (compared with 11 and five the from Dilaram shot and killed 13 of his col- by local elders, highlighting the PRP). This is largely the result of leagues at the Dilaram ANP base in Bakwa. importance of local acceptance to lower AOG operational tempos in The perpetrator was shot and killed by other NGO security. Bakwa and Bala Buluk, the most ANP policemen immediately after opening fire. While the fact that the IEA claimed re- In terms of the overall volume of AOG kinetic districts throughout sponsibility combined with the fact that the abduction incidents, the province the province, with AOG activity area regularly records kinetic AOG activi- has witnessed eight cases thus far completely absent from Khaki ty/presence suggests that the case was likely this year (six AOG authored and Safed and Pusht Rod. Only seven attributed to infiltration of the ANP by AOG, two ACG) compared to 19 over AOG incidents were recorded in like in other such incidents, it remains difficult the same period last year (18 these two districts combined (four to confirm, as AOGs have an incentive to AOG and one ACG), denoting a in Bala Buluk and three in Bakwa), claim attacks that cannot be verified which significant 73% decrease in this whereas 14 were recorded over appear to demonstrate the extent of their influ- particular tactic. Further to this, the second fortnight of the last ence/reach. Although this marks the first only one case this year has directly month (seven in each). In con- rogue shooting by ANSF in Farah, two such involved the targeting of local trast, AOG remained visible in cases were recorded in Badghis (both of them civilians – excluding this latest Farah city, with three AOG inci- in 2011), and AOG efforts to infiltrate into NGO incident – in contrast to 14 dents which were relatively insig- ANSF will likely continue/increase as IMF directly targeting local civilians nificant (one small RICED deto- shifts security roles to ANSF going forward.

NOTICE: Your input is invaluable for the production of this report. While we appreciate information on incidents, we also need general information on the security situation and context in your area. So please remember to call or email us regularly. Contact details of ANSO staff are provided on the last page.

ANSO: “..by NGOs for NGOs..” THE ANSO REPORT Page 12

E ASTERN REGION

NGO Incidents N ANGARHAR Year to Date 15 NANGARHAR This Report Period 0 100 Although overall incident volumes 80 were broadly consistent with clear, was being accompanied by 60 those recorded over the second the district governors and police half of July, this period observed a chiefs for both Achin and Speen 40 marked increase in AOG activity Ghar. The convoy managed to 20 – amounting to a 26% growth in escape the ambush, with no re- 0 AOG-initiated incidents in com- ported casualties, after a local parison to the previous period – tribe helped repel the attack. The with significant incidents recorded tribe’s assistance had been specifi- NANGARHAR AOG NANGARHAR Crime cally requested by the provincial in Jalalabad, Achin and Pachir Wa Meanwhile, in Pachir Wa Agam, in the Pass Agam. governor. The incident repre- sents something of a departure Sabar area at 1600 hrs, AOG fighters stopped The provincial capital recorded from established AOG tactics – a container truck whilst it was carrying supplies two AOG-initiated incidents this with the majority of attacks to a nearby ANP base, before proceeding to period. First, an IED concealed against GOA and ANSF targets in set it alight. At the time of writing, the where- in a parked rickshaw detonated the area taking the form of IED abouts of the driver of the truck remain un- against a Justice Department vehi- detonations – but is nonetheless known. The attack came just six days after the cle, injuring four officials. The consistent with the significant targeted killing of a district official in the area target of the attack is believed to presence that the armed opposi- on 31 July, as he was driving home from the have been the head of the depart- tion maintains in the district, as DAC at 1400 hrs, and can therefore be under- ment, by whom the vehicle is nor- evidenced by recent increases in stood as a further indication of the armed op- mally used. Second, a hand gre- the frequency of AOG initiated position’s intent to consolidate their presence nade was thrown into the home incidents, with more incidents in Pass Sabar. of an ANA official, injuring his recorded over the first of half of In a further incident of note, 19 civilians were wife. Nangarhar has recorded 11 this month than over the entirety injured when an IED that had been planted targeted killings of GOA officials of July. inside the Dawlatzai village mosque detonated thus far this year, and it can be Achin was also home to one of during Friday prayers. The motive behind the assumed that further attempts will attack remains unclear, but with no declaration be made by the armed opposition three incidents of rogue ANSF personnel opening fire upon IMF of responsibility being made by the armed op- going forward in order to intensi- position and the absence of any plausible fy pressure on the government. soldiers (also known as “green on blue” shootings) recorded in the GOA or ANSF target in (or expected to be in) In Achin, a large AOG ambushed region in under a week. The inci- the mosque at the time that the detonation an ANP convoy as it was return- dent resulted in one IMF soldier occurred, it is distinctly possible that the inci- ing to the DAC from Mamand being injured, along with an NDS dent was born out of a private dispute. In the Dara, where it had been called to officer who was caught in the en- wider province, non-AOG initiated IED deto- disarm an IED earlier that day. suing crossfire. The assailant, an nations have accounted for 25 per cent of all At the time of the attack, the con- ANP officer, managed to escape such incidents in the year so far, none of which voy, for reasons that remain un- the area. have targeted GOA or ANSF actors. THE ANSO REPORT Page 13

NGO Incidents KUNAR Year to Date 1 KUNAR 160 This Report Period 0 140 In Kunar, a twin BBIED attack 120 provincial capital, recorded in 100 against an IMF foot patrol in Asa- 80 dabad city killed three IMF sol- Dangam and Nari. 60 diers and one civilian, and injured In Dangam, the ANBP engaged in 40 20 three others. The incident a three hour long armed clash 0 marked only the third BBIED with Pakistani Military Forces. attack ever recorded in Asadabad, The fighting began when the lat- following the assassination of the ter, for reasons that remain un- head of Kunar's Peace and Reinte- clear, attacked an ANBP check- KUNAR AOG KUNAR Crime point from across the border with gration Council in April, and an casualty-heavy clash between security forces heavy weapons, prompting ANBP attack against the city’s NDS of- and the armed opposition of any district dur- officers to return fire. After addi- fice in October 2011. Attacks ing the period, when AOG fighters attacked against IMF and GOA targets in tional ANBP reinforcements were ANP and ANBP checkpoints in the DAC area, mobilised to the area, the ANBP and around the provincial capital prompting a fire-fight in which five ANSF captured two Pakistani check- have increased by over 80% in personnel were subsequently killed along with points before being repelled. The comparison to the same period in four AOG fighters, and a further six AOG 2011, and in can be assumed that incident represents a significant fighters were injured. The incident came as the escalation in already heightened the armed opposition will main- second attack against ANSF checkpoints in the cross-border tensions, following tain such efforts for the remainder district in as many days, and is an indication of intensive shelling of Afghan terri- of the summer fighting season. the importance that the armed opposition Both overall and AOG-initiated tory by the Pakistani Military, places on Nari, owing to its status as a key in- which has caused significant inter- incident levels rose in comparison filtration route from Pakistan. to the previous period, with note- nal displacement. worthy incidents, outside of the Meanwhile, Nari saw the most

NGO Incidents N URISTAN Year to Date 0 NURISTAN 50 This Report Period 0 In Kamdesh, a large host of AOG 40 fighters, reportedly between 100 73% in comparison to the same 30 and 150, entered the Madagul val- period in 2011; a rate of growth 20 ley from the neighbouring Aw- that is indicative of the increased 10 lagul area of Bargi Matal, from importance of the district to the 0 where they staged an attack armed opposition. As such, fur- against the DAC and several ANP ther attacks against GOA and ANSF targets in Kamdesh can be checkpoints with heavy weapons NURISTAN AOG NURISTAN Crime and SAF. The incident came little expected, as the armed opposition attempts to exert greater pressure over a month after roughly 100 ous incidents, and the de facto control that AOG fighters launched a three- on the GOA’s already limited presence in the district. they exercise over Want village potentially sug- sided massed assault against ALP gest otherwise. As in these other instances, the and ANP forces in the DAC area, Meanwhile in Waygal, a village burning of the school was likely a response to which lasted for 13 hours and high school was set alight by repeated IMF precision drone strikes in the resulted in a number of deaths on armed men, causing significant district (which have killed 18 AOG fighters so both sides. This most recent inci- structural damage to the building. far this year), in order to demonstrate that dent is therefore a clear demon- The incident followed the forced whilst IMF may be able to bring air power to stration that the armed opposition closure of several schools by the bear against high-value targets, the armed op- retains both the intent and the armed opposition in the same area position can still exert influence on the ground. capability to conduct attacks on – Want – in June and thus whilst The burning of the school prompted 500 peo- such a scale. AOG incident levels AOG have denied claims that ple to stage a protest in neighbouring Wama. in Kamdesh have increased by they were responsible, these previ- THE ANSO REPORT Page 14

NGO Incidents L AGHMAN Year to Date 3 LAGHMAN 50 This Report Period 1 Laghman recorded one NGO 40 incident during the period, in AOG fighters were arrested. In 30 light of this increase in both which AOG fighters stopped a 20 privately owned truck transport- ANSF and AOG numbers in ing livestock on behalf of a local Besram, it is likely that the district 10 NGO at an illegal checkpoint will become increasingly kinetic in 0 along the main road in Besram at the coming weeks. 1100 hrs, before proceeding to Of arguably greater significance to release the livestock into the sur- the wider conflict was the targeted LAGHMAN AOG LAGHMAN Crime rounding area. The driver of the killing of the district governor of IMF soldiers and injuring four others. In the truck was left unharmed and al- Alishing in Mehtarlam city, when ensuing fire-fight, one of the assailants was lowed to continue his journey. an IED detonated against the ve- killed and the other (who was later arrested) hicle in which he was travelling, Thus far this year, the district has was injured. Whilst the incident represents a also killing his three ANP body- recorded nine AOG-initiated inci- relative outlier for the regional security envi- guards. The incident marked the dents, including three other in- ronment, it is consistent with a countrywide second targeted killing of a GOA stances of the armed opposition increase in attacks of this nature, with at least official in Mehtarlam city this establishing illegal checkpoints 20 recorded thus far this year, compared to year, following a fatal attack on along the district’s stretch of the only nine across the same period in 2011. main road (two of which occurred the head of Mehtarlam’s Depart- Although overall incident levels remained in the same week as this latest ment of Women’s Affairs on 13 broadly the same in comparison to the previ- incident), as well as several attacks July. The armed opposition has ous period, with 32 incidents recorded in the against passing IMF supply trucks proven increasingly capable of second half of July compared to 31 in the first (two using IEDs and one using conducting offensive operations half of August (prior to late reporting), there RPG rounds). Prior to this year against high-profile targets within was a marked growth in AOG activity, however, the district had recorded the provincial capital in recent amounting to a 30% increase in AOG initiated no AOG activity since 2006, indi- months, including IDF attacks the incidents. Of these, the majority took the cating that AOG establishment of ANP HQ, the provincial gover- form of close range attacks against ANSF tar- a presence in the area of a signifi- nor’s compound and the PRT, as gets using heavy weapons and SAF, with nine cant supply route has been, and well as two close range attacks such incidents recorded across Mehtarlam, will continue to be, an important with heavy weapons and SAF Alishing and Alingar. In one such incident, objective for the armed opposi- against Mehtarlam Central Prison. and of particular significance, AOG fighters tion during this year’s summer Mehtarlam city also witnessed one attacked local community members in the fighting season. In the wake of of three ‘green on blue’ incidents Salaw area in an attempted act of retribution these incidents, and in a clear indi- recorded in the Eastern Region for the support that they had afforded to an cation of their concern over esca- this period (see Nangarhar and ALP unit in a previous clash. ANSF repelled lating AOG activity, the ANP Paktya), when two ANA soldiers the AOG and, with local community support, established a checkpoint in the opened fire on IMF personal in- conducted a clearing operation later that day in area and conducted a clearing op- side the PRT base, for motives which three AOG fighters were killed. eration in in which 60 suspected which remain unclear, killing two

ACRONYMS: Please see the final page for a list of ANSO-utilized acronyms. THE ANSO REPORT Page 15

NGO Incidents AKTYA PAKTYA P Year to Date 1 50 This Report Period 0 Overall incident levels in the 40 province rose in comparison to them the most likely assailants. 30 the previous period, as did the Despite the fact that both officials 20 came from the same district, there level of AOG activity, with note- 10 is no evidence to suggest that the worthy incidents recorded in and 0 around Chamkanay and Gardez. armed opposition is expressly tar- geting GOA actors in Chamkanay In Chamkanay, a district official over those in other districts. and his son were killed when an PAKTYA AOG PAKTYA Crime IED detonated against their vehi- Gardez also recorded two signifi- cant IED strikes during the peri- cle. The incident marks only the and six others were arrested – indicating a rela- od. In the first, a magnetic IED second targeting killing of a GOA tive balance of forces between the armed op- that had been attached to an ANP official in the province so far this position and the security forces in Gardez this year, following that of the district vehicle detonated, killing one period. ANP officer and injuring three governor of Chamkanay on 29 Meanwhile in Shwak, the district was home to April in a close range attack others. This was followed by an IED detonation against an AN- one - chronologically the first - of three ‘green against the ANP convoy in which on blue’ incidents recorded in the Eastern re- he was travelling. Whilst the COP vehicle, which killed four ANCOP officers and injured two gion in the space of a week, when two ANA armed opposition has not publi- soldiers fired upon IMF personnel inside an cally claimed responsibility for the others. For every IED that was detonated in the district however, ANA/IMF base, killing two IMF soldiers and killing, the overwhelming majority injuring four others. One of the assailants was of the incidents recorded in an equal number were defused by the security forces, who also con- arrested, whilst the other managed to escape Chamkanay both in the year so far the area. Such incidents appear to be on the and across the same period in ducted a clearing operation in which one AOG fighter was killed rise countrywide (see Laghman), and are likely 2011 were AOG initiated, making to continue going forward.

NGO Incidents KHOST Year to Date 8 KHOST This Report Period 0 100 The provincial capital was largely 80 quiet this period, with only four public protest against cross- 60 border shelling from Pakistan into recorded AOG-initiated incidents, 40 Kunar. including three IED detonations. 20 This lull was consistent with a Of these, only one was on-target – 0 the detonation of a magnetic IED decrease in both overall incident that had been attached to an ANP volumes and AOG initiated inci- vehicle, injuring two ANP officers dent levels in comparison to the KHOST AOG KHOST Crime and five civilians – but there was previous period. Outside of also an attack against several la- Khost city, the majority of AOG can therefore be understood as an effort by the bourers queuing outside an IMF incidents recorded took the form armed opposition to demonstrate their undi- base with a hand grenade and of close range attacks with heavy minished offensive capabilities to the GOA. SAF which resulted in several in- weapons and SAF against ANSF juries but no fatalities. Indeed, targets, with nine such incidents By contrast, there was a marked increase in the the only incidents that did result across Jaji Maydan, Sabari, Tani, intensity of operations conducted by the secu- in fatalities this period were two Tere Zayi and Musa Khel. The rity forces, with a total of 43 AOG fighters private disputes that turned vio- incident in Musa Khel took the being killed as a result of two air strikes in Mu- lent (killing two civilians), with the form of an assault against the sa Khel – a clear response to the armed oppo- remaining incidents recorded in DAC, which - whilst causing no sition’s increasing presence in the district – and the city consisting of four IED casualties - came as the third at- a series of clearing operations, predominantly discoveries by the security forces, tack in the area in under four days focused in Sabari and Tere Zayi, in which 55 an NDS clearing operation and a (following two IDF attacks), and suspected AOG fighters were arrested in all. THE ANSO REPORT Page 16

S OUTHERN REGION

NGO Incidents ANDAHAR KANDAHAR K Year to Date 1 140 This Report Period 0 120 Kandahar continues to record a 100 high volume of incidents. In the and has occurred in conjunction 80 with a short term shift from fo- 60 last fortnight the province wit- 40 nessed (prior to late reporting) 88 cusing on “high-profile’ targets (as 20 security events of which 50 were was the case during 2011) towards 0 initiated by the armed opposition. “low-profile” members of ANSF The security profile of the prov- or civilians. Regarding the geo- ince has not changed significantly graphical distribution of such inci- KANDAHAR AOG KANDAHAR Crime when compared to the previous dents a glimpse into the data re- cycle, with an absence of high- veals that amongst 81 AOG- initiated targeted killings that have ment was recorded in districts 3 and 9 with profile attacks in urban centers two devices defused by ANSF. continuing throughout this period been recorded across the province (most likely expressing a deliber- thus far this year, Kandahar city Direct attacks this reporting period were geo- ate choice by the opposition dur- was the recipient of 67% of them. graphically concentrated on Panjwayi, Zhari ing the period of Ramadan), and In the last fortnight IEDs were (usual AOG strongholds) and Kharkrez dis- AOG TTPs favouring direct at- deployed extensively throughout tricts, almost all exclusively targeting ANP per- tacks and IED emplacement. the province. Effective AOG sonnel and posts. As frequently occurs across AOG intimidation efforts— IED activity occurred primarily in the province, the majority of these attacks con- another distinctive feature of the Panjwayi and Khakrez, but also in sisted of inconclusive engagements between security landscape in Kandahar— Maruf, Zhari and Kandahar city. the ANP and AOG units, with the AOG have also continued, with the rate These incidents resulted in a high breaking contact after a brief fire-fight, yet of targeted killings significantly number of casualties amongst there were some noteworthy exceptions. In increased over that of late July. ANSF personnel: 11 ANP and the area of the Panjwayi DAC, a night time one ANA soldier killed, and 10 AOG attack against an ANP post continued Whereas the PRP witnessed eight for about two hours and claimed the lives of reported targeted killings, the cur- ANP and five ANA soldiers wounded. In addition, three sepa- two civilians and one ANP policeman, while rent cycle notched 13 such inci- an additional one ANP and two civilians sus- dents attributed to the armed op- rate IED strikes involved civilians. These include an IED detonation tained injuries. Another prolonged engage- positions, with an additional two ment took place in Zhari– following an attack occurring that were likely related reported in Panjwayi which killed three civilians and a roadside IED on an ALP post—and caused three AOG fa- to criminal activity. This cycle talities and injuries to two militia members. Kandahar city experienced eight which targeted a local vehicle in of these attacks, Maywand and Khakrez, resulting in one person On the security forces side, the last two weeks Shah Wali Kot two, and Daman, killed and another wounded. saw the rate of IMF/ANSF operations slightly Khakrez, and Panjwayi recording In Kandahar city, sporadic AOG increase when compared to the previous cycle. one each. These numbers make it IED activity manifested itself in Security force search operations resulted in the likely that targeted killings au- districts 2, 4 and 5. The AOG seizure of a significant amount of explosives thored by AOG in August will target pattern remained consistent and drugs, with the most significant results likely approach or surpass the pre- with the trend observed across the reported in Zhari, where during three separate vious peak recorded in March province, as the IED attacks were operations more than 90 IEDs were seized (19). Further to this, the current carried out primarily against ANP from caches and subsequently disposed of. In rate marks an increase in the use vehicles (and injured two ANP another notable operation, in district 9 of Kan- of this tactic over the same period policemen and one civilian passer- dahar city NDS arrested seven AOG mem- last year (which recorded only 10), by). In addition, IED emplace- bers, including a mid-level commander. THE ANSO REPORT Page 17

NGO Incidents N IMROZ Year to Date 0 NIMROZ This Report Period 0 50 A series of deadly suicide attacks 40 tacks, ANP intercepted a vehicle dominated this reporting period in 30 Nimroz. On the afternoon of 14 transporting assorted explosives - 20 August, Zaranj city was shaken by including a suicide vest - killing coordinated BBIED attacks that two AOG operatives who resisted 10 occurred in three separate loca- in the process. Following this 0 tions within the provincial capital. incident, ANSF conducted house search operations in the area in an ANP personnel in the vicinity of effort to locate additional AOG NIMROZ AOG NIMROZ Crime the provincial hospital appeared fighters, and during this, detained to be the initial targets, while an three individuals, seizing addition- experiencing only 53 security events thus far additional two BBIED detona- al suicide vests and hand gre- this year (a total significantly less than Hel- tions were reported in two sepa- nades. The involvement of such a mand or Kandahar average every month). In rate locations: the Carpet market significant number of operatives addition to limited reporting, the use of suicide area and near to an oil pump sta- in the incident denotes a high lev- vectors has been rare. The province experi- tion. Due to the timing (early el of planning and coordination, enced only one suicide attack this year, when a afternoon), and the crowded na- but it remains unclear what the single BBIED detonated on an IMF convoy in ture of the locations of these at- extent and target of the attack Zaranj city, on 28 April. Prior to that, there tacks, the casualty toll was ex- would have been had there been had been none since a coordinated attack oc- tremely heavy. This was particu- no disruptions. curred on 5 May 2010, when nine BBIED at- larly true for civilians, and includ- tackers engaged with security forces in several ed at least 21 civilians and 15 To contextualize this, security high-profile targets in Zaranj city. ANP killed, with an additional 98 reporting in Nimroz has remained civilians and 22 ANP wounded. limited in comparison to other Southern provinces, with Nimroz The night just prior to these at-

NGO Incidents U RUZGAN Year to Date 0 URUZGAN This Report Period 0 100 In the last fortnight Uruzgan ex- 80 perienced 17 AOG-initiated ac- majority of casualties in the prov- tions, displaying a decrease com- ince this period as another target- 60 pared to the 31 recorded the pre- ed RCIED strike recorded in Ti- 40 vious cycle. While AOG activity rin killed four ANP, 20 including a commander. manifested itself in Khas Uruzgan, 0 Dihrawud and Chora, 64% of all Besides IED emplacement, other AOG authored incidents were tactical choices were minimalized URUZGAN AOG URUZGAN Crime focused on Tirin Kot district. in the security landscape, with IED emplacement continued to only two direct attacks reported in abducted and executed a number of civilians be the main source of insecurity in Tirin Kot and Khas Uruzgan. (up to 15 persons) from the area where the the province with 18 recorded However, the AOG intimidation initial killing took place. Although a potential incidents (both detonations and campaign came to the fore with ethnic component to this series of clashes has discoveries). On five separate three cases of targeted killings the potential to cause further tensions, elders occasions IED detonations result- recorded in these two districts, from both tribes met and managed to calm the ed in ANSF casualties. Notewor- with AOG killing two individuals situation temporarily, putting forth expecta- thy amongst these, in Tirin Kot accused of working for IMF in the tions that those responsible for these killings city, an RCIED attack on a patrol- latter. Afterwards, militia mem- will be brought to justice. However, the issue ling ANP vehicle claimed the lives bers from the tribe of those vic- has not been settled, and the commander sus- of three ANP policeman and in- tims - under the leadership if an pected of being responsible remains on the jured an additional two along with influential militia commander - run, with strong allegations existent that he is - one civilian. The ANP took the conducted a retaliation action and or has been - working with security forces. THE ANSO REPORT Page 18

NGO Incidents H ELMAND Year to Date 0 HELMAND This Report Period 0 140 During the first two weeks of Au- 120 gust incident volumes in Helmand when a roadside IED detonated 100 remained high, with over 100 se- on a Town Ace vehicle - killing six 80 civilians and wounding another 60 curity incidents recorded, of 40 which AOGs accounted for 50%. six - and in Kajaki, where an IED 20 In addition to IED deployment killed four tribal elders. The con- 0 and close-range attacks, AOG tinuing threat of collateral in- continued their campaign of tar- volvement in security incidents by geted killings (five, targeting pri- simple proximity to potential HELMAND AOG HELMAND Crime marily ANP policemen), and a AOG targets was further high- lighted in Sangin, when an IED curring in Nahri Sarraj which required the use series of “green-on-blue” inci- of the IMF air assets to repel an AOG attack dents featured prominently. detonated as both a local vehicle and an ANP Ranger were travel- on an ANP post, and resulted in seven AOG In the last fortnight at least 22 ling through the area. The deto- fighters killed and four wounded. IEDs detonated, in addition to an nation was followed by an AOG This reporting period was also shaped by a almost equivalent amount of dis- SAF attack, which killed one civil- series of “green-on-blue” incidents recorded in posal operations recorded across ian and injured another two along Sangin and Garmser districts which combined the province. The bulk of IED with four ANP members. Direct to claim the lives of seven IMF soldiers and detonations targeted ANP and attacks remained frequent and injure another three. These incidents ALP vehicles in districts of Nahri were conducted on 25 separate (occurring within 24 hours of each other) were Sarraj, Lashkar Gah, Marja and occasions, mainly in the districts the latest in a string of 14 shootings involving Musa Qala. Civilians were in- of Nahri Sarraj, Marja and Lash- IMF elements in the region. volved on five separate occasions, kar Gah. Noteworthy amongst with the most noteworthy inci- these was an intense firefight oc- dents reported in Musa Qala,

NGO Incidents P AKTIKA Year to Date 0 PAKTIKA 100 This Report Period 0 In the last fortnight, the level of 80 AOG activity in Paktika remained these was a protracted AOG at- 60 in line with the previous period - tack on an ANA/ANP base locat- 40 ed in the DAC area of Omna recording 35 AOG-initiated at- 20 which injured seven ANA soldiers tacks - but overall incident vol- 0 umes dropped, driven primarily by and three ANP policemen. Alt- a decrease in documented IM- hough limited in number, effec- F/ANSF operations. tive AOG IED activity increased PAKTIKA AOG PAKTIKA Crime this period from four IED strikes The security profile of the prov- the PRP to 10 over the current ince continued to be dominated cycle. Further to this, the majority presence of supply channels result in sustained by AOG close range attacks, of recorded IEDs this period pro- IDF attacks by the armed opposition in the which this period were focused on duced casualties (eight out of 10) province. In the last two weeks these attacks Omna, Ziruk and Mata Khan dis- across Urgun, Dila, Omna, Sar were concentrated on the Gayan DAC, howev- tricts. A number of these attacks Hawza, Yosuf Khel and Barmal. er Ziruk, Barmal and Sar Hawza saw also spo- involved casualties, particularly This affected also civilians, with radic IDF assaults. While reports of casualties those recorded in Omna, Khair four killed in a single IED strike associated with such attacks remain rare, four Kot and Zarghun Shahr districts, in Chanikha area of Urgun and civilians were wounded in Sultani area of Sar with four separate AOG attacks the same number of fatalities re- Hawza, when inaccurate mortar fire intended from these districts resulting in ported from Yosuf Khel, but in to target an ANP post impacted a local resi- three ALP, two ANA and three the latter involving children. dence. Unfortunately, misfires amongst such ANP killed, and an additional 10 attacks appear more common than not., creat- ANA soldiers and three ANP Further to this, the proximity of ing a significant potential for collateral civilian wounded. Noteworthy amongst the border and the consequent casualties going forward. THE ANSO REPORT Page 19

NGO Incidents G HAZNI Year to Date 1 GHAZNI This Report Period 0 180 160 During the first two weeks of Au- 140 gust, Ghazni continued to record bers, as well as civilians accused of 120 cooperation with GOA. A local 100 a significant level of incidents, 80 with at least 90 entries. This peri- civilian was abducted in Ab Band 60 od AOG activity - which account- district and in Ghazni ANP recov- 40 20 ed for 71% of all incidents - was ered the corpse of another police- 0 focused primarily on the districts man who had been abducted and of Ghazni, Andar, Qarabagh and executed by AOG. Targeted kill- GHAZNI AOG GHAZNI Crime Muqur. ings also occurred in Ghazni dis- trict (two attacks on ANP), with Conventional AOG attacks con- one of them occurring in Ghazni ment of civilians in IED related incidents con- tinued to feature across the securi- city, when an ANP policeman was tinued as well. This period an IED detonation ty landscape, with 39 occurrences killed in Jahan Market area. on a local tractor caused one civilian fatality (43% of all recorded). These tar- and injured another two persons in Waghaz, IED emplacement demonstrated geted mainly ANP (62%) and and further incidents involving civilians were an upwards trend with 15 IED DACs. This period the district reported in Andar, Gelan and Ghazni. centers of , Andar, and strikes recorded in Ghazni, Gelan, Qarabagh and Andar. The prima- IMF/ANSF maintained a consistent opera- Rashidan came under multiple tional pace with approximately 16 documented AOG SAF attacks, but the majori- ry AOG targets remain ANP and IMF, as was highlighted by an operations. These included the use of air ty of these attacks were inconclu- strikes in Gelan, Andar and Ab Band which sive and caused a limited number IED strike on an ANP vehicle that occurred in in Qala-I-Jawz of claimed the lives of 8 AOG members, includ- of casualties (although those that ing the deputy shadow governor for Ab Band did occur were primarily civilian). Ghazni city which resulted in two ANP policemen killed and five district, but also collaterally killed two civilians AOG continued their efforts of wounded. Nevertheless, involve- in Gelan. intimidation against ANSF mem-

NGO Incidents Z ABUL Year to Date 0 ZABUL 50 This Report Period 0 Incident volumes dropped in 40 Zabul when compared to the as ANSF and/or GOA personnel 30 remain the primary target of AOG PRP, as both AOG and ANSF- 20 IMF appeared to scale down their operations region-wide. In addi- 10 activities. tion, the use of explosive devices fits with existing trends in Zabul 0 In the last fortnight AOG opera- where IED emplacement remains tions took the form of sporadic prominently featured. Current IED attacks on ANSF mobile and data reveals that amongst 163 ZABUL AOG ZABUL Crime static positions which affected AOG-initiated incidents that have Qalat, Shahjoy, and Shamulzayi been recorded this year through- this period as - in addition to Shamulzayi - the districts. The latter district came out the province, IED strikes rep- remaining IED incidents took place in Shahjoy to the fore when a roadside device resent 42%, direct attacks 36%, and Qalat (and resulted in one civilian injured). detonated on an ANP vehicle car- targeted killings 13% and IDF ANSF/IMF showed a moderate level of activi- rying the district Chief of Police. 4%. ty this period, with six documented operations The detonation - which occurred focused on AOG manpower and sporadic sei- on the main Shamulzayi-Shahjoy In line with long term trends, ef- fective AOG IED activity contin- zures of drugs in Qalat, Shahjoy and Shinkay. road - killed three ANP police- These operations resulted in five AOG mem- man, including the official. The ues to primarily affect Qalat and Shahjoy districts, which experi- bers detained, another two killed and also incident marked the first killing of caused collateral damage when - during a a GOA official at a district level enced more than 57% of all rec- orded IED detonations thus far ground operation in Shahjoy - two civilians recorded in the province this year, sustained injuries. but does not denote a new trend this year. This trend continued Contact List Brian Dr. Mukhtar Tomas Rory Vacant Camille Naseer Tereza COUNTRY CENTRAL Sayed Taro WEST SOUTH Ross EAST NORTH Firoz Patrick ‐ od Device Islamic mili Explosive Police ACG Pro

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