REPORT 01—15 September 2011 Index COUNTRY SUMMARY Central Region 1-6 Countrywide, Opposition Initiated Attacks Popular New District Governor

CONFIDENTIAL— NGO use only No copy, forward or sale © INSO 2011

issue 81 REPORT 01—15 September 2011 Index COUNTRY SUMMARY Central Region 1-6 Countrywide, opposition initiated attacks popular new district governor. North Region 7-11 returned to normal pre-Ramadan levels In the EASTERN REGION, NGOs in 12-15 East Region after a brief hiatus for Eid during which the Nangahar were victimised by robbers in weekly attack rate dropped by a half. Pachir Wa Agam; by armed criminals in South Region 16-20 In the CENTRAL REGION, the multi- Bati Kot and collaterally by IMF SAF in West Region 21-23 vector attack in Kabul on September 13/14 Chaparhar with thankfully no injuries re- ANSO Info Page 24 did not demonstrate anything new in tacti- sulting from any case. Elsewhere, the Sher- cal terms—or change the NGO risk profile zad District Governor was killed in a road- within the city specifically—but it was a side IED strike. In Gardez, Paktya an significant indicator of how little progress NGO clinic was inexplicably vandalized HIGHLIGHTS there has been in the COIN objective of and burnt by suspected Waziristani AOGs  AOG attack rates climb protecting Afghan civilians, even in the while in Laghman unidentified armed men capital city. ANSO also found it notable abducted up to eight civilians at illegal  High profile attack disrupts that leading political and military commen- roadblocks. In Nuristan, AOGs retain con- Kabul tators described the attack as an effort to trol of Waygal and seriously threaten Bargi  High yield SVBIED targets ―derail transition‖ when in reality transition Matal. IMF in Wardak would grant the main war aim of the oppo- In the SOUTHERN REGION, frequent sition and they are in favour of it. Else-  NGO comes under fire in targeted assassinations continue. IMF in Nangahar where in the region, two German nationals Kandahar discover an IED ‗factory‘ in were found murdered after hiking in Salang Zahri with more than 70 prepared devices  Sectarian tension emerges in district, Pawan, while an unusually large Herat while an SVBIED targets a PSC compound SVBIED detonated at the entrance to an in Kandahar city. In Sangin, Helmand an IMF base in Sayedabad, Wardak injuring SVBIED targets the DAC killing 3 ANP more than 60 US soldiers. and 4 civilians while in Ghanzi, the Ab ANSO is supported by In the NORTHERN REGION, newly Band district chief of police is the victim of recruited ―critical infrastructure‖ protection a targeted killing. Very high volumes of forces prepare to deploy in clearing opera- direct and indirect engagements continue tions west of Mazar-i-Sharif. In Pul-i- across the region. Kumri, Baghlan, a rare BBIED attempt In the WESTERN REGION, sectarian failed when ANP shot the attacker prior to tensions emerged in Herat city over the detonation. In Samanagan, an NGO vehi- distribution of derogatory CDs while in the cle went missing in suspicious circumstanc- eastern district of Obe, new ANP deploy- es while in Darqaunf district, of Takhar, ments have restored a momentary calm. In AOG killed the head of counter-terrorism Ghoryan a rare SVBIED targeted an IMF police. Elsewhere in Takhar (Bangi dis- convoy to no effect. In Farah, 100 new trict), where an NGO vehicle was recently ALP were mobilized in Kakhi Safed while hit with an IED, a local mullah was be- in Ghor‘s Taywara district political interfer- headed on allegations of spying. In Ba- ence caused ANP to seize communication dakshan, locals burn the office of an un- gear from NGOs. 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 R EGION

NGO Incidents KABUL KABUL Year to Date 5 50

This Report Period 0 40 Kabul Province hosted over 30% of security incidents recorded in from Abdul Haq Square) where 30 Central this cycle. The volumes he was killed by ANSF. The fight 20 were mainly ensured by ANSF- on Abdul Haq Square prolonged 10 IMF initiating two thirds of the until the morning hours of the 0 incidents. The AOG record actu- next days, keeping civilians ex- ally remained low as to the vol- posed for some 18 hours to pro- umes in Kabul Province (10 jectiles randomly impacting the KABUL AOG KABUL Crime AOG-driven escalations, or 15% neighbourhood. This feature of AOG incidents reported in spoke volumes as to how genuine to the 2009 attack on the Presidential inaugu- Central this period), though a the actual precautions to mitigate ration ceremony, investigations have con- multi-vector AOG attack in Kabul civilian casualties are on the side firmed that weapons were patiently pre- City marked a significant blow to of the current IEA leadership and placed inside the unfinished hotel building on the IMF and GOA discourse on the associate networks. The pre- Abdul Haq Square throughout Eid, with the security gains against armed oppo- liminary wrap up includes 12 AOG successfully avoiding ‗ring of steel‘ sition. killed (incl. 6 civilians) and 36 in- check posts over a period of time. The event jured (incl. 12 civilians); on the remained consistent with established patterns The events unfolded on 13 Sep- AOG side, all 9 attackers who in other ways also including the selection of tember at 1330 hrs with a group took part in direct action were targets, and did not alter the NGO threat pic- of six AOG infantry operatives killed. ture which remains one of collateral exposure making their way into a multiple- as opposed to direct targeting. The timing of story building under construction While many aspects of the TTP the attack confirmed the current trend of one on Abdul Haq Circle (PD 9) from are yet to be elucidated, the strike spectacular AOG strike in the capital every where they initiated heavy direct appears as a successful replication three to four weeks. and indirect fire towards security of AOG lessons learned from targets within a half-kilometer past attacks in Kabul City and In the rural districts, AOG activity was low. range incl. ISAF HQ, US Embas- other regional capitals (for in- Three cases of harassing IDF against IMF- sy, NDS and ANP stations. Two stance Herat and Kandahar this ANSF installations were reported from Deh hours into the fight, three strikes year) with such features as a sim- Sabz and Surobi. Yet, Musayi was an excep- ensured by single operatives fol- ultaneous attack in different location as local AOG networks displayed a more lowed in different locations in the tions, a prolonged RPG/IDF fire comprehensive portfolio of indirect attacks city. On the confines of im- from elevated positions, a suicide including four IED strikes and two IDF con- portant traffic arteries in the commando team successfully re- centrated in and around the district center. south, two BBIEDs detonated sisting a long siege and playing out The ANSF-IMF countered with three opera- against two different police sta- the graphic part of the event for tions. The tug of war between AOG en- tions on Deh Mazang Circle and the media coverage. The logistics trenched in the district and benefiting from nearby just off Darulaman Road employed ensured another spec- an easy access to Logar and the ANSF-IMF leading the ANSF to block the tacular aspect of the attack, in patrolling the southern perimeter of the capi- traffic for a large part of the after- particular considering the fact that tal is quite typical for the peak fighting sea- noon. A third infantry operative the strike took place despite an son, though the series of ten escalations rec- was spotted moving towards a increased level of alertness of orded this cycle remains an outlier and will police checkpoint on the Airport ANSF and IMF in the city and likely drop during the coming weeks. Road (within walking distance along the access arteries. Similarly

Graphs in this report count up to September 7th only THE ANSO REPORT Page 2

NGO Incidents PARWAN Year to Date 1 PARWAN 50 This Report Period 0 40 The dead bodies of two German tinue throughout the rest of the 30 hikers who went missing during a year. recreational trip in Salang on 19 20 In Siyagerd, Puli Rangab remains 10 August 2011 were discovered in a the favorite AOG spot for early- high mountain area of the Salang morning perusals of the inbound 0 Pass known as Kohi Hafta Noor. traffic from Bamyan via Shibar. The circumstances of their disap- On 13 September, a dozen of PARWAN AOG PARWAN Crime pearance and violent death have AOG members descended on the been subject to much speculation main road to intercept two Kamaz and little fact so far. There has trucks belonging to an Internation- AOG SAF attack on ALP manning a check- been no satisfactory evidence cor- al Organization en route from point in Quli Hir right after Eid. The at- roborated as to any premeditated Sheikh Ali towards Siyagerd DAC. tacked concluded with one ALP killed. Dur- involvement either by a political The first vehicle drove thru the ing the mid-mornings of 11 and 12 Septem- or a criminal network. Sadly, checkpoint, creating a situation ber, IED deployments on the Bamyan road in GOA provincial authorities did which could have easily triggered a Darazgerd came into play. The first device little other than initiating a game violent response by AOG. Instead, was removed by ANP who were impressed of accusations against the local the fighters satisfied themselves by its unusually long wire-command system. Kuchi community. The Salang with intercepting the second truck. The next day, another device actually detonat- Pass falls outside of mapped The driver and the truck were de- ed in the same location against a convoy es- AOG influence. Occasional tained for some two hours but corted by ANP. Put into a perspective with AOG passage is probable for eventually released and allowed to the events in Puli Rangab, four AOG- movements connecting to Tala wa proceed. In the early afternoon of escalations on the Bamyan road in the span of Barfak (Baghlan) and Ghorband the same day, probably the same four days are an unusual occurrence, which is (Parwan), although AOG related AOG unit ambushed the convoy to be interpreted as an AOG demonstration escalations remain extremely rare. of two ANP vehicles escorting an of force following the Eid break. The district Sporadic crime-related incidents armed cash-transport van from center of Surkhi Parsa witnessed a similar (mainly ANSF operations and Bamyan towards Parwan. The initiative but a different TTP. At least three finds at the checkpoints on the convoy managed to break thru am- mortars and one rocket were launched to- highway) as well as the strategic bush without casualties after a pro- wards the DAC from a location known as position of the pass suggest that longed gun fight. Of note to Qaraluq – Dehi Jangalak in the neighboring the mountain trails are used by NGOs, anecdotal evidence sug- Sheikh Ali district, marking the first AOG armed smuggling networks leaving gested that the AOG operated a escalation in the district since July 2010. The the assumption open for the sce- checkpoint on the main road for a district is located on a strategically important nario of the hikers walking into a considerable portion of the morn- artery linking the Ghorband Valley to Wardak random encounter with an armed ing that day. A criminal escalation via Behsud. It has been put forward by local group. was also recorded in Siyagerd when community that AOG based in Ghorband For the rest, the yield of three a wedding party went awry leading and Jalrez sporadically use the road for pas- cases of IDF against IMF installa- to a gun fight in Chahar Dehi. In sage between these too important staging are- tions including an accurate missile the middle of the dispute, a local as. fire impacting the Bagram base GOA official and his bodyguards The record of significant events concluded and a stabbing of an off-duty left the party as fugitives leaving with an IMF operation in Mandiqul and the ANP officer in Bayane Payeen of behind one wedding guest killed consequent arrest of two local AOG suspects. Sayed Khel (an outstanding blood and three injured. ANP deployed Mandiqul is a reputed safe haven for AOG feud appears the most likely ex- to the area in an attempt to detain networks in Tagab and Surobi while the fight- planation), were outweighed by the group, though the official and ers also use the area to access IDF staging the developments in Ghorband his men managed to escape and areas in Deh Sabz which are located within Valley. This cycle confirmed a remain at large. range from security installations on the out- steady AOG expansion in Ghor- Across the border in neighboring skirts of Kabul City. band which will most likely con- Shinwari, the cycle opened with an THE ANSO REPORT Page 3

NGO Incidents DAYKUNDI DAYKUNDI Year to Date 0 50

This Report Period 0 40 Factional loyalties were at the origin of two important clashes in vention. Throughout 2010, the 30 Gizab and Khadir this cycle, the ALP-IMF relationship emerged as 20 a stabilizing factor in Gizab with former incident receiving a fair 10 degree of attention due to an al- the introduction of an IMF task 0 leged involvement of IMF. force and 300 ALP fighters to interdict AOG freedom of move- On 13 September, a local ALP ment across the routes to commander made a move in the DAYKUNDI AOG DAYKUNDI Crime Urozgan and Helmand. The dis- southern part of Tamazan Valley trict indeed experienced a drop in and forcibly took over at least violent incidents from 16 in 2010 Urozgan and Helmand. The first strike killed 3 four ANP checkpoints on the to only 8 so far this year. Never- ANP transiting thru Monara in the morning of 8 main road. During the in- theless, the long-term reliance of September, while the second incident saw a pres- fighting, at least one ANP was IMF commandos on local Pash- sure-plate IED detonate against a civilian vehicle killed and six ANP received inju- tun fighters is a factor resented by in Boka on 12 September killing one and injuring ries. The shoot-out was an escala- local ANP as the police force is three passengers. Sporadic AOG-escalations tion of an ongoing tug of war for dominated by northern Hazara may be expected to cumulate with the autumn / local influence, as the ALP is networks. This rivalry combined early-winter AOG migration later on this year. largely formed of local Pashtun to the general context of low ac- On 4 September in Khadir, a group of Sayed fighters while the ANP are under countability of local security forc- fighters loosely affiliated with Hizbi Islami the command of Nili-based pro- es mean that there is a fairly ex- clashed with a rival Hazara group with links to Hazara factions. Anecdotal evi- plosive constellation in place for Ensejame Milli and lead by a former ANP offi- dence suggests that the ALP com- factional warfare to occur along cial. The infighting left one Ensejame Milli fight- mander passed several requests to ethnic identities in the Tamazan er dead and another injured on the scene. The ANP and IMF to transfer the Valley. motivations of the parties involved are yet to be road-side checkpoints under his determined. NGOs usually experience central authority in the past. Oddly In the neighboring Kajran, the incident volumes seem to have and northern districts of Daykundi as a permis- enough, the ANP and the local sive operational environment, though factional community claim that IMF air- taken a reverse trend with 22 incidents so far in 2011 against 18 clashes and local vested interests are a distinctive assets provided air-support to the feature of the security landscape in the province ALP units on the ground. In yet incidents recorded throughout 2010. This cycle, AOG authored and may occasionally impact on NGO access another spin, IEA were quick to and program delivery. gloss on the event on their web- two IED strikes on the road net- site emphasizing the IMF inter- work in the borderland with

NGO Incidents PANJSHIR Year to Date 1 This Report Period 0 That the IMF presence is not easily digested among the Panjshiris was demonstrated throughout yet another escalation which saw a local resident turn a hand gun against a PRT team en route towards a school site project. The incident occurred on 6 September in the Abdullah Khel Area of Dara, and resulted in the light injuries of two PRT members. The perpetrator escaped from the scene only to render himself to ANP after the security force detained his relatives. Accord- ing to uncorroborated reports, the attacker allegedly linked his action to his resentment of the PRT party taking pictures of women in the community. Since the beginning of 2011, ‗armed foreigners‘ have been directly involved in 5 out of 12 violent escalations recorded by ANSO in Panjshir. In counterpoint, the province has witnessed a single direct escalation linked to the NGO community this year, a makeshift IED hurled across the boundary wall inside an NGO compound. THE ANSO REPORT Page 4

NGO Incidents WARDAK Year to Date 4 WARDAK 100 This Report Period 0 80 AOG volumes remained modest servicemen and an additional 20 in Wardak this cycle with 15 esca- civilians were hurt, though the 60 lations recorded (or 25% of all documented number of fatal in- 40 AOG incidents in Central). This juries remained low). IMF em- 20

marked a relative drop in the ployed a considerable medivac 0 share of AOG-initiated incidents effort transporting the patients region-wise as Wardak frequently into the surrounding medical makes up to 50% of AOG vol- facilities in Logar, Ghazni, Kabul WARDAK AOG WARDAK Crime umes in Central per cycle. Never- and Bagram. In the perimeter, theless, a spectacular SVBIED several NGO facilities including detonated by the security manning the entrance. strike in Saydabad compensated the district hospital as well as the Further of note, the latest attack in Saydabad for the volumes of activity out wuluswali sustained various de- followed shortly after the span of eight shadowing other developments of grees of structural damage. SVBIED strikes reported across the Southern interest such as a significant IMF In terms of TTP, the strike was Region. The suicide missions remain marginal effort at intercepting local AOG strongly reminiscent of the rein the overall AOG volumes in Saydabad. This commanders during their Eid rest cent SVBIED in Paktya province year has so far witnessed nearly 140 convention- and recreation days in Nirkh as which targeted the entry point al AOG attacks in the district against two well as a series of AOG indirect towards the PRT base in Gardez SVBIEDs. Of these, nearly 90% targeted the attacks in the provincial capital. on 18 August 2011. A truck security forces incl. the contractors and PSCs, a In the evening hours of 10 Sep- stacked with wood was indeed factor to mitigate when it comes to NGO tember, a Mazda truck transport- allowed to proceed beyond the movements and the location of NGO premises ing a cargo of firewood drove outer perimeter checkpoint of in the district. towards the entry checkpoint to the base, and exploded at the last With another spectacular strike against the IMF the IMF base in Saydabad DAC. layer of security checks nearby following the shooting of a Chinook helicopter The driver detonated what ap- the PRT quarters. One month in Chaki Wardak, Saydabad networks boost peared a substantial IED charge, earlier, another Mazda truck with confidence. On a strategic level, Wardak which leveled several buildings in rigged as SVBIED which at- and Logar continue being a priority for the IMF the area and opened a wide sec- tempted to drive thru the entry planners. NGOs with operations in this part of tion of the perimeter wall of the point of the Dashte Towp IMF- Central will certainly face increased levels of IMF base. The blast wave caused ANSF base was identified and political violence throughout the upcoming mass casualties (nearly 80 IMF weeks.

NGO Incidents KAPISA KAPISA Year to Date 2 50 This Report Period 0 40 After the lull during Eid, AOG 30 incident volumes slowly returned which is one of a strong AOG entrenchment in the South-East 20 to the usual levels. The distribu- 10 tion pattern remained consistent and comparatively few durable 0 with Tagab attracting 5 out of 7 security gains achieved by AOG escalations as well as 4 out ANSF-IMF so far.

of 7 incidents initiated by IMF- This cycle, the IMF authored the KAPISA AOG KAPISA Crime ANSF. In counterpoint, the north- majority of security operations in western districts remained quiet the pro-GOA camp, with just effort on the local security forces incl. ALP (6 with the exception of a case of a one documented action entirely documented attacks on ANSF/ALP targets). vendetta which saw a local Jamiati in the hands of an ANA-ANP Such a dynamic paints a bleak picture for the commander gunned down in Jamal joint force (a night-time opera- pro-GOA forces while it emphasizes the readi- Agha of Kohistan II. tion in Pachghan of Nijrab on 10 ness of local AOG to engage ANSF from a po- Typically for Kapisa, the modest September). Meanwhile, AOG sition of strength once the potent IMF contin- volumes of violent escalations dis- tended to avoid the IMF moves gent withdraws from operations. tort the overall security picture concentrating their own military THE ANSO REPORT Page 5

NGO Incidents LOGAR Year to Date 5 LOGAR This Report Period 0 50 AOG volumes in Logar doubled the accounts differ as to the cir- 40 this cycle compared to the lull cumstances of their release. 30 noticed during the previous period. The september volumes so In the provincial capital, two 20 far equalled AOG activity levels RCIED strikes created numerous 10 casualties in the bazaar area while recorded during the first two 0 weeks of August. Logar actually a single IDF targeted the ANP witnessed every fourth AOG at- HQ. An infighting following a verbal dispute between a soldier tack recorded in Central this cycle, LOGAR AOG LOGAR Crime which is at par with the levels rec- and his officer completed the pic- orded in Wardak. Puli Alam and ture with additional three ANA Baraki Barak hosted two thirds of casualties. The clash represented AOG escalations, though Charkh a second ‗home-turf‘ incident for the district governor with multiple casualties grasped a lot of publicity due to a ANSF following the ANP-ANA recorded on all three occasions. Close-range multiple abduction of daily-wage collision during the last reporting ambushes were less lethal and targeted strictly workers by AOG for their em- period. Two close-range ambush- ANP elements. This indicates a reluctance of ployment with the IMF. The es and an IED strike were report- local networks to confront directly IMF-ANA AOG executed four of the cap- ed from the Muhammad Agha - detachments which generally gather superior tives shortly after the abduction Puli Alam section of the highway fire power. (Pangaram, 2 September), while a impacting IMF-contracted fuel In counter-point, IMF-ANSF activity was main- fifth hostage was presumably tankers and an ANA convoy. ly visible in Muhammad Agha and Charkh, killed after a brief escape. The In Baraki Barak, AOG IED cells though significant deployments into the AOG remaining four hostages returned staged three lethal strikes on IMF strongholds in the vicinity of Puli Alam, Babus from captivity unharmed, though as well as on the security detail of in particular, were also recorded.

NGO Incidents Year to Date 0 BAMYAN BAMYAN 50 This Report Period 0 40 .Two escalations in Kahmard rein- ANP checkpoint in Eshpushta, 30 forced the paradigm of occasional likely an answer to increased ANP 20 AOG infiltrations from Tala wa deployments in the area following 10 Barfak, played out on the back- the first attack. Local accounts ground of long-forged solidarity have linked the two incidents to a 0 links between the powerbrokers in particular Baghlan-based AOG re-

Do Abe Mikhzarin and Baghlan- affirming their interest in free pas- BAMYAN AOG BAMYAN Crime based opposition as well as crimi- sage via Eshpusta/Do Ab Mikh nal networks. Zarin. It is rare to see two escala- In the afternoon hours of 2 Sep- tions in Kahmard within a short activities locally in Kahmard. Similarly, the sta- tember, a group of four AOG op- span of time. In this regard, the tus quo will likely remain in place on the ANSF eratives staged a text-book road timing is conspicuous as the inci- side. Despite the recent reinforcements of ambush on an ANP vehicle en dents were recorded shortly after ANSF physical infrastructure and personnel route via Dahane Sayghan. Three Eid when the AOG return into implemented as a part of the transition process, policemen and one civilian were their strongholds and staging are- there does not seem to be much resolution on killed as a result of an accurate as. Although the first event was the ANSF side to challenge the AOG-ACG RPG fire. Four days later, AOG particularly lethal, there is no imprint in the northeast of the province. made their presence feel once again ground to assume that the AOG with a harassing SAF against an would aspire at scaling up their THE ANSO REPORT Page 6

N ORTHERN R EGION

NGO Incidents ALKH BALKH B Year to Date 10 50 This Report Period 0 Despite a brief lull in activity fol- 40 lowing Eid, Balkh Province In terms of the current security 30 amassed 20 security incidents this situation within the province, long 20 standing trends have remained reporting period, a volume just 10 mostly intact, with increased slightly below the average over the 0 previous 4 reporting periods. Alt- AOG activity in Chimtal and Cha- hough this demarcates an active har Bolak, and strong—albeit spo- cycle, it was developments that radic—ACG activity in Mazar-e BALKH AOG BALKH Crime took place outside of the recorded Sharif City. Outside of these dis- incidents that could potentially tricts, significant conflicts escalate and de-escalate, but no other dis- bare significant changes to the men, spurring his followers to march to the trict appears to be showing sus- security paradigm. District Chief of Police‘s (DCOP) HQ and tained deterioration above and Perhaps most notable amongst hurl stones at it. The followers claimed that beyond the average within the these for NGOs regularly moving the DCOP had been behind the killing due to region. west of Mazar-e Sharif (MeS) a pre-existing land dispute and continuing ani- along the main ring road, the In the area west of MeS, much of mosity. The situation was temporarily brought ―Hold‖ phase of Operation the activity in the week directly under control with a few warning shots, but Ebtekar 2 is set to conclude on following Eid consisted of IMF, was not fully resolved until later that evening, September 18th. However, with ANP, or ANSF led operations, when the District Governor and a representa- multiple reports suggesting new with a raid and an arrest in Chahar tive from Balkh addressed the group following AOGs are moving into Chimtal Bolak, and an IED discovery in an impromptu meeting. Sholgara—which has and Chahar Bolak (at least partial- Chimtal. However, just after the seen a fair amount of insecurity in the past, but ly from the north-eastern portions 6th, when an RPG was fired to- falls under the strong leadership of local pow- of Sar-e Pul Province), it appears wards an ANP CP in Chimtal, an erbrokers—also was the site of an irregular that there may be plans to imme- AOG attacked a pro-government searching of local residences by what appeared diately follow Ebtekar 2 with a militia CP in Chahar Bolak, and in to be an ACG, who subsequently ―detained‖ 2 new ―Clear‖ operation. 3 separate incidents—all occurring locals for unknown reasons. on September 9th—AOGs in Although unconfirmed, it has Finally, Mazar-e Sharif witnessed a rash of Chimtal set fire to telecommuni- been suggested that the main forc- ACG activity including two separate incidents cations towers. On the same day es behind the next attempt to where civilians were shot and killed, the rob- (the 9th), an AOG attacked an clear and hold the road may be bing of an IO staff member‘s house while he ANSF/IMF convoy in the Puli 150 newly recruited CIP forces was out, and the seizure of heroine from a Bangala area of Chimtal. In all, (Critical Infrastructure Project). neighbourhood snooker club. In a non- Chimtal District accounted for 6 These CIPs consist of nationals security related incident, also in Mazar, 2 gas of the 20 incidents in Balkh this vetted by local Shouras and sup- cylinders exploded—1 ignited by the other—in reporting period, a relatively high ported by IMF, with a mandate to a local residence causing a blast that killed 2 number considering only 8 were patrol critical ground or com- locals and injured an additional 9. The blast recorded over all of August. pounds. Reports indicate these was heard throughout the immediate vicinity, forces are being used in Balkh and Outside of these 2 districts, devel- and was originally believed to be an IED deto- elsewhere (Kunduz for instance), opments surfaced in Sholgara that nation, but it appears that the explosion was and that the current numbers were significant and caused local completely accidental. stand at approximately 50 in unrest. On September 12th, a Chimtal and 100 in Chahar Bolak. former Jihadi commander was shot and killed by unknown gun- THE ANSO REPORT Page 7

NGO Incidents F ARYAB Year to Date 6 FARYAB This Report Period 0 50 The overall security situation in 40 Faryab remains generally con- mana and Andkhoy. One took 30 sistent with prior reporting peri- place in Dawlatabad, where the 20 ods. That is to say, districts such majority of security incidents 10 as Qaysar, and Pashtun Kot con- along this road have occurred this 0 tinue to witness the majority of year, and the other in Qaramqol, which shares the Jungal area— incidents, and Dawlatabad and FARYAB AOG FARYAB Crime Qaramqol—with relatively small along with its manifested insecuri- local AOGs living and operating ty—with neighboring Dawlatabad. Of note, both incidents occurred in their territories—remain the Outside of these incidents, the volume of civil- most volatile stretches along the at night and in both cases, civilians were targeted. In Dawlata- ian casualties mounted this cycle. A national Faryab section of the ring road. reporter was attacked in Maymana during the Despite this, subtle shifts have bad, armed men on motorcycles shot SAF at a passing car, injuring PRP by 3 men on motorcycles. The attack materialized. This cycle a notable stirred up significant unrest in the district, and increase of AOG activities oc- 2 civilians before driving away, and in Qaramqol (Jungal), respect- many believed it would cause demonstrations. curred in Qaysar District, which Other civilian casualties occurred in Pashtun recorded a significant 8 of the ed elders from Andkhoy were pulled out of their car and beaten Kot, which saw 2 clashes between competing total 22 security incidents in the groups resulting in the deaths of 10 locals and province, with 5 of these involv- on the way back from a meeting in Maymana. Although the elders injuries to an additional 6, and on the 5th, an ing the detonation or discovery IED strike in Qaysar killed 7 local civilians. and seizure of IEDs. were not robbed, one later suc- cumbed to his wounds in the hos- Qaysar, which has had numerous incidents Although squarely within the ex- pital. It remains unclear whether with civilian casualties this year, also witnessed istent security paradigm, 2 new they were targeted due to the con- the killing of a religious leader in Khetayee and notable incidents occurred tent of the day‘s meeting. Village. along the ring road between May-

NGO Incidents S AR- E P UL Year to Date 4 SAR-E PUL This Report Period 0 50 40 Sar-e Pul Province continued last causing significant casualties 30 period‘s decline in incident report- against the strong AOG presence 20 ing, with a relatively quiet 6 inci- existent there, although this re- 10 dents, 5 of which took place in mains unconfirmed. It was con- 0 Sar-i Pul District. Most notable firmed that the PRT is preparing

amongst these was the surrender to relocate from the province be- SAR-E PUL AOG SAR-E PUL Crime of 64 AOG members – including fore the end of the year, and that 6 AOG commanders – who had despite rumours of a large influx been previously operating in vari- of ANA troops, at least one ous villages throughout Sayyad knowledgeable source claims that District. only 2 companies of ANA and a The surrender came amidst multi- new ALP program (Sayyad) have (PGM) personnel (one of which resulted in a ple reports that AOGs were mov- materialized to ―fill the gap‖ and civilian casualty, the other involving the am- ing out of Sar-i Pul Province— quell the previous insecurity. bush of a PGM member in Kohistanat Dis- allegedly from the north-eastern Beyond this, the province saw few trict), and an AOG attack on an ANP CP. areas, opposite from Sayyad—and actual incidents, with 2 interper- Notably Sayyad District and the oft contested that a small number of security sonal attacks on civilians, 2 AOG Shibrighan – Sar-i Pul road remained without forces were embedded in Sayyad attacks on pro-government militia incident. THE ANSO REPORT Page 8

NGO Incidents B AGHLAN Year to Date 1 BAGHLAN 50 This Report Period 0 Baghlan continues to see a mid- 40 dling volume of insecurity that BBIED attack. However, in this 30 encompasses IMF/ANSF raids, instance, the would be assailant 20 was shot while in the process of ANP arrests, and ACG and AOG 10 attempting the throw. The gre- initiated incidents. Much like the 0 PRP, IMF/ANSF operations ac- nade detonated—killing the potential BBIED—but the vest nev- counted for a significant portion BAGHLAN AOG BAGHLAN Crime of the recorded security incidents, er did, and no other injuries oc- with 5 this period—3 of them in curred. Prior to this, there had Baghlani Jadid—compared to 6 been no BBIED detonations in (both of them occurring in the vicinity of the from the PRP. While the prov- Baghlan since October 25th, 2010, DAC), and the first to cause casualties. The ince did not record any new inci- when a BBIED on a motorcycle explosion killed 3 school boys and injured 2 dents along the ring road, a small detonated himself on an IMF pa- others. It is suspected that the ANSF vehicles number of unusual and notewor- trol along the Kunduz - Puli- which regularly move around that particular thy incidents occurred elsewhere. Khumri road. street were the intended target, but there were Most irregular and potentially sig- Also irregular to the existent secu- no such vehicles in the area at the time of the nificant of these was an attempted rity paradigm in Baghlan, an IED detonation, suggesting an undiscriminating BBIED attack against an detonated in the District Center victim-operated device. ANP/IMF base in Shahabuddin of Burka District. The detonation Outside of 2 other AOG initiated incidents— (Puli Khumri) on the 5th. occurred close to a secondary the killing of an ANP policeman in Baghlani BBIEDs often have a large foot- road often used by ANSF vehicles Jadid and an AOG attack on an ANP Check- print on the perceived security during the day on the 12th as stu- point in Dahana-I Ghuri—the security situa- paradigm of a province, but re- dents were playing in the vicinity. tion was characterized by the previously men- main exceptionally rare through- Although Burka is generally con- tioned military operations as well as criminal out the North, with the majority sidered a stronghold and safe- and personal disputes. Operations occurred in of those that come to fruition haven of AOGs operating Burka, Tala Wa Barfak, and Baghlani Jadid (3 occurring in Kunduz. In this inci- throughout the Northeast, it is including 1 airstrike), combining for a total of dent, a man wearing a BBIED not often the site of attacks, with 16 AOG suspects arrested. Most notable vest attempted to lob a grenade this marking only the 24th security amongst the disputes, continued tension pre- into a military base, most likely to incident to occur this year (and vailed between locals and the ANP over an cause a distraction which would only the second this month). In incident in Puli Khumri where a Pro- allow him to gain entrance for the face, this was only the second Government Militia commander was killed by IED detonation in Burka this year the ANP in a clash.

NGO Incidents J AWZJAN Year to Date 3 JAWZJAN 50 This Report Period 0 40

Jawzjan enjoyed a quiet cycle for payment of a ransom—on the 30 th the second reporting period in a 13 , while the other 2 were subse- 20 row, with only 5 recorded security quently ―discovered‖ unguarded 10 incidents, none of them denoting on the 16th. It remains possible a shift in the existent security par- (likely) that the latter 2 also paid 0 adigm. Of note, the 3 Turkish ransom. JAWZJAN AOG JAWZJAN Crime engineers who had been previous- As in Balkh, reports surfaced that ly abducted on June 28th in Khwa- AOGs were moving into the ja Du Koh were ―released‖ mid- province from the north and east- August. One of the three was ern parts of Sar-e Pul, but it re- are fleeing Sar-e Pul, or purposefully gathering released—potentially after the mains unclear whether the groups in Jawzjan. Further assessment is required. THE ANSO REPORT Page 9

NGO Incidents S AMANGAN Year to Date 0 SAMANGAN This Report Period 1 50 Although Samangan remains the 40 most stable and operable province gument with his boss and sold it. 30 in the North, that 5 security inci- The driver is still being held by 20 dents were recorded this period is the police, while the vehicle—a 10 significant for a province that has white marked 4runner—remains 0 not recorded more than 8 inci- at large. Of more import to the general community, the fact that dents any month this year. SAMANGAN AOG SAMANGAN Crime the vehicle contains NGO mark- Although in no way indicative of ings creates a potential security the security paradigm, an INGO risk, but otherwise, the NGO lost got peripherally caught up in an nothing in the incident, and their position following the numerous disputes was inter-company issue when the involvement remains peripheral. not a surprise. vehicle and driver they were tem- Of note to the security paradigm Aybak was the site of the other 3 security inci- porarily contracting disappeared dents, the most notable of which occurred on on the 6th in Dara-I Sufi Payin for the province, 20 AOG members surrendered from Dara-I Sufi September 9th when an ANP checkpoint man- District. The driver subsequently ning a prison was attacked with SAF and mul- reappeared on the 11th, claiming Payin. This occurred in conjunc- tion with Ahmad Kahn Samanga- tiple RPGs. The ANP engaged them in a fire to have been abducted by AOGs, fight, and the assailants retreated. Although but at the time of this report, the ni—the prime power broker in the province—being awarded the this appears to follow wide spread AOG tac- case was still under investigation, tics, it remains unclear whether the attack was and the company and ANP MP position. It should ne noted that as the major power broker in conducted by AOGs or ACGs, with multiple strongly believed that the driver reports from the area suggesting the latter. stole the vehicle following an ar- the province, his receipt of the

NGO Incidents T AKHAR Year to Date 3 TAKHAR 50 This Report Period 0 40 Incident reporting continued to national security forces, with a 30 decline in Takhar Province, which search operation yielding an AT 20 witnessed only 9 security incidents mine near a former Jihadi com- 10 this reporting period. Although mander‘s residence on the 5th, and 0 regularly registering a relatively an arrest on the 6th. No other low volume of insecurity, this set incidents were reported here. TAKHAR AOG TAKHAR Crime the province on course to record Despite the low volume, 3 of the less incidents in September than 9 incidents that occurred were of occurs just following last periods tragic killing in August (23), a month which interest, although denoting no of 2 NGO staff members by an IED in the had already recorded a significant shift to the security paradigm. same district, and marks only the 4th incident dip from the previous months of In Darqad the head of the district to occur in Bangi this year (well below the 9 July (49) and June (30). anti-terrorism unit was killed on that were recorded between January and Sep- Despite anecdotal reports suggest- September 2nd while en route to tember last year). ing a subtle shift in the security his residence, in Farkhar, armed Only 2 of the 9 incidents (the targeted killings paradigm within Taloqan City men—believed to be members of of the Mullah and the Anti-Terrorism officer) itself, particularly in the western an ACG—attacked the ANP were attributed to AOGs, 2 were attributed to portion of the city and the road checkpoint guarding the grave of ACGs, and the rest consisted of ANSF/ANP moving west towards Kunduz, General Daoud Daoud, and in ops. All told, the total volume of security inci- Taloqan was the site of only 2 Bangi a local Mullah was behead- dents recorded over the last month and a half incidents this reporting period. ed for allegedly cooperating with represents a significant drop in activity from Both of these were initiated by the GOA. The incident in Bangi the reporting periods just prior to these. THE ANSO REPORT Page 10

NGO Incidents B ADAKHSHAN Year to Date 8 BADAKHSHAN 50 This Report Period 0 Badakhshan often appears to re- 40 semble an entirely separate region, occurred. After 2 drug producing 30 with extremely different issues factories were discovered and 20 th and politics between one district closed on the 12 , an IMF/ANSF 10 th and the next. Little in the way of operation occurred on the 13 , 0 province wide trends materialized where reports claim that 23 AOG members were killed, including 2 this reporting period, although an BADAKHSHAN AOG BADAKHSHAN Crime increased presence of AOGs— national suicide bombers and 6 foreign fighters. 17 suspected many of them external to the on the 11th. The new DG replaced a long AOGs were arrested during the province—continues to be noted. standing DG via a decision made at the pro- same operation. Following this, 5 Baharak was quiet this reporting vincial level, with the new DG not having won additional AOG members surren- period, while in Daryaim, follow- over the locals yet (who allege that he is cor- dered on the 14th. Lastly, a local ing last period‘s surrender of a rupt). The initial event turned somewhat vio- civilian was abducted from his well known AOG commander, lent when the demonstrators set fire to the private residence in Tishkan, after anecdotal reports surfaced that DG‘s residence. this commander and his men are being accused of not cooperating with AOGs. However, province wide, criminality (often in the process of seeking security tied to politics) generally remains the primary Outside of AOG activities, the positions in the district. security concern. All 4 of Fayzabad‘s inci- security situation in Badakhshan In terms of AOG pres- dents, including the killing of a local mullah, included civil unrest in Khwahan, ence/activity in the province, were due to criminality and/or personal dis- where a demonstration for the AOGs attacked an ANP CP in putes. Although no significant shift occurred removal of the relatively new Dis- Warduj on the 12th, and in Ki- within the province wide security paradigm, trict Governor took place on the shim—one of the few districts the 18 security incidents recorded this cycle 6th, followed by a second gather- known to have an existent local represents a noteworthy 100% increase over ing of elders demanding the same AOG population—3 incidents the 9 recorded last cycle.

NGO Incidents UNDUZ KUNDUZ K Year to Date 1 50 This Report Period 0 40

Kunduz continues to be charac- no casualties or damages, as the 30

terized by a heavy volume of inci- rockets impacted open areas. 20

dent reporting consisting largely Otherwise, 10 of the incidents in 10 of IED discoveries and detona- Kunduz District involved IED 0 tions (which combined for 18 of discoveries or detonations, and 4 the 33 total incidents in the dis- involved IMF, ANSF, or joint trict). Despite Eid, Kunduz saw operations. KUNDUZ AOG KUNDUZ Crime no notable lull in activity. IEDs remain a persistent threat to While the security paradigm re- civilians throughout the province. many of the IEDs in the province were discov- mains relatively consistent, with In Qala-e Zal District, the ANP ered or detonated prematurely—and 4 of them Kunduz District seeing approxi- discovered 2 RCIEDs detonated against PGM convoys—2 IEDs mately half of the total number of (constructed from explosives in 2 detonated directly on civilian vehicles incidents (16), there were subtle plastic bags) emplaced under a (Kunduz), killing 2 civilians in one and 5 (4 shifts in tactics, most notably in- culvert a couple of hundred me- children) in the other. cluding 2 separate RPG attacks on ters from an NGO clinic, near a Lastly—and of further note to civilians—2 the Kunduz airport, one taking street often used by the DG and a IEDs detonated along the well travelled ring place on the 9th and the other on local Pro-Government Milita road (Kunduz), both of them occurring along the 11th. Both attacks resulted in (PGM) commander. Although the Kunduz – Khanabad section which connects Kunduz to Takhar. THE ANSO REPORT Page 11

E ASTERN R EGION

NGO Incidents N ANGAHAR Year to Date 13 NANGARHAR This Report Period 3 100 Early September in Nangarhar 80 the second vehicle, causing no was marked by a series of NGO 60 related incidents and the targeted casualties. The exact motive be- 40 killings of GOA officials, with the hind the attack remains unclear, attack on the Sherzad District nonetheless Chardihi area is 20 Governor being the most notable. known to host armed elements 0 and it is likely that the attack was Pachir Wa Agam saw its second an opportunistic attempt to target NGO related incident this year, NANGARHAR AOG NANGARHAR Crime high profile vehicles, and not spe- when on the 3rd of September, a cifically aimed at the INGO. group of gunmen broke into a Travel to and through this area gets‘ (such as security forces) IEDs continue to national demining agency com- should be attempted in low profile be used in the AOG campaign to target high pound located in the vicinity of vehicles and based on detailed ranking GOA officials. After the killing of the the DAC. The group tied up the local knowledge and contacts. Zone 4 NDS Chief in Jalalabad City reported guards on site and stole one of the in the last period, an RCIED detonated on a NGO‘s vehicles along with vari- As frequently noted in previous vehicle of the Sherzad District Governor in ous demining materials, including ANSO reports, the main risk for Gandomak area on the 6th. The official and 3 mine detection and communica- NGOs operating in kinetic areas of his ANP bodyguards were killed, with an- tion equipment. Along with the is collateral involvement in ongo- other ANP wounded. While the targeted kill- car, the gunmen abducted 3 NGO ing conflict that could result from ing of GOA officials has become an estab- staff members, who were eventu- being in close proximity to poten- lished AOG tactic throughout the region, this ally released unharmed a few tial targets or the scene of any incident marks the first assassination of a hours later. As of the writing of incident. This was further high- GOA official at the district level recorded in this report, the vehicle and the lighted in Chaparhar District on Nangarhar this year. In addition to this, an th demining equipment remain at the 10 . Following an IED strike NDS and an ANP officer were killed in 2 sepa- large. Although this event marks on an IMF vehicle that occurred rate targeted killings in Bati Kot District on 7 the 7th incident involving a on the main road leading to the September. demining agency in the Eastern DAC, the IMF responded to the attack with SAF. One of the bul- In Jalalabad City, the security situation was Region thus far, the circumstances relatively calm despite the occurrence of sever- of the attack seems to indicate lets impacted a nearby low-profile vehicle which was carrying 3 na- al ANSF/IMF search operations. A notewor- that the assailants were attracted thy incident occurred on the 3rd of September by the value of the NGO‘s equip- tional NGO staff members. The bullet hit the car‘s window on the in Angor Bagh area, when IMF killed a suspect ment, rather than being ideologi- (an ex-Guantanamo prisoner) during a night cally driven. driver‘s side and broke the glass, but all members of the NGO staff raid and arrested 3 other suspected AOGs. Of The second NGO incident oc- escaped the incident unharmed. further note, a renewal of night-time IDF as- curred on the 5th, when 2 un- saults has been observed in Bihsud District. known individuals fired a hand- IED emplacement remains the On the 11th a rocket was fired against the JAF, gun towards 2 marked INGO main threat to NGOs activities and the following day, another projectile was Land Cruisers travelling on a sec- across the province, with 15 rec- fired towards the joint ANA Brigade HQ/PRT ondary road in Chardihi area of orded devices this period - of base, with one rocket impacting inside the pe- Bati Kot District. The individuals which 8 detonated. The districts rimeter of the base and the second outside. made no attempts to stop the of Khogyani, Chaparhar and Sher- Both attacks were ineffective and did not cause NGO vehicles, but fired a single zad have been particularly active any casualties. shot which impacted the door of of late. In addition to ‗hard tar- THE ANSO REPORT Page 12

NGO Incidents KUNAR K UNAR Year to Date 8 150 This Report Period 0 Incident volumes remain con- 100 sistent with previous period. assaults recorded throughout the AOG activities were focused on province. These were concentrat- 50 the north-western districts of ed on Manogai, Dangam and Wa- Manogai and Wata Pur, and to a ta Pur districts. As a result, in 0 lesser extent on Asadabad, Bar addition to an ANBP official Kunar, Chapa Dara and Narang wounded in Bar Kunar following KUNAR AOG KUNAR Crime districts. In Kunar, the tactics of a mortar attack against a joint IM- choice were direct SAF and RPG F/ANA base, 1 local female was Tensions have emerged regarding the abduc- engagements, concentrated more killed in the area of the Wata Pur tion of a group of young Pakistani boys— oc- than 60% on ANSF/IMF static DAC. Although recently decreas- curring on the 1st of September, - which positions. These engagements ing, reports of cross border Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) claim to have abduct- consist of brief clashes that rarely shelling continue to be received. ed from Bajaur area as retribution against the cause casualties on either side, but This period Dangam District ex- Mamon tribe for supporting the Pakistani gov- represent a risk for collateral in- perienced 3 separate incidents ernment. volvement to the population, in involving multiple rocket strikes, Lastly, although playing a relatively minor role particular within urban centres. none of which resulted in casual- in Kunar, 8 IED initiated incidents were rec- This was highlighted in Bar Kunar ties. A further example of this orded in Manogai (3), Narang (2) and Khas when one civilian was collaterally was reported from Sawo area in Kunar, Chawkay and Wata Pur (1 each). Of wounded in the DAC attack. Nari, where an artillery round note, an IED detonated prematurely in Bar fired from a joint IMF/ANA base The proximity of the border and Narang area (Narang) on the Jalalabad – Asa- impacted a residential area, access to re-supply channels trans- dabad Road at approximately 0800 hrs, causing wounding 2 civilians. late into a significant level of IDF no casualties.

NGO Incidents K HOST Year to Date 2 KHOST 150 This Report Period 0

Khost remains the most ‗active‘ 100 province in the region, with twice towards a passing IMF convoy, the incident volume of Kuanr. injuring one IMF soldier. 50 Sabari District was the focal point, AOGs were active in the neigh- 0 seeing at least 25 incidents, with bouring districts of Bak and Tere 10 attributed to AOGs. The ma- Zayi. The latter experienced 11 jority consisted of IDF attacks, IED incidents with 2 strikes that KHOST AOG KHOST Crime with five targeting the DAC resulted in injuries to an IMF sol- and/or the joint ANA/IMF base dier and 2 locals. Anecdotal re- capital remained quiet with ANSF continuing causing no damage but to the ob- porting suggests a criminal moti- their efforts to disrupt AOG cells that pene- servation blimp. Sabari also saw vation for the latter attack, but trate the city. In addition to the arrest of 5 six IED incidents, with 2 effective this was unconfirmed suspected AOG members on the 13th, a sui- strikes (Yoqubi area). Whereas an AOG preferred tactic remains cide vest was seized in the area of the mosque IED attack on a PSC truck did IEDs throughout the province just prior to the Eid celebration (on August not cause casualties, another de- with at least 40 incidents 30th) and a magnetic IED was found next to a vice struck an ANA vehicle on the (detonations/discoveries) record- local shop (also on the 13th). 12th of September, killing 2 ANA. ed this period. Although security ANSF/IMF continued to be active this period Prior to this, on the 29th of Au- forces located and defused the responding to AOG attacks and initiating op- gust in the DAC area, the district majority of them (approximately erations. At least 20 documented opera- experienced another noteworthy 72%), a single IED strike on an tions/arrests occurred, with the focus on incident when 2 local children ANA vehicle occurring in Nadih Khost and Sabari districts. In addition to a threw a make shift explosive Shah Kot District killed 5 ANA quantity of weapons and ammunition seized, (composed of a flaming bottle) th soldiers on the 7 . The provincial these operations yielded several AOG arrests. THE ANSO REPORT Page 13

NGO Incidents P AKTYA Year to Date 7 PAKTYA 150 This Report Period 1 This reporting period Paktya experienced a violent incident tar- Whereas it has been reported that 100 geting an NGO-run clinic which the attackers spoke Pashtu with a 50 fortunately did not cause any cas- Waziristani accent (indicating the ualties. On September 5th during possibility of foreign elements), an 0 evening hours a large group of investigation into the incident is suspected AOG approached an ongoing and further assessment will be required. NGO-run clinic located in PAKTYA AOG PAKTYA Crime Mehlan area of Gardez District. In the last fortnight AOGs were Upon arrival, the AOG fired an particularly active in Gardez and Zurmat districts, with both dis- RPG round that impacted the should be cleaned of any documentation or tricts accounting for more than 50 clinic wall, before subsequently material connecting them to an NGO. Also % of all recorded security inci- breaking into the clinic, tying up on the Kabul – Gardez road (Tandan), ANP dents. the guard, and taking him off of discovered 2 IEDs early in the morning on the the premises. Following this, the Similar to the previous period, the 7th. AOG opened fire on the building Kabul – Gardez road saw another Although Gardez City remained calm, a note- with heavy weapons and SAF, and illegal checkpoint. On the 9th in worthy incident was reported on 29 August, eventually set the clinic ablaze Kafter Khana area, at around when during the day NDS arrested three before leaving the area. This 1730 hrs, an AOG established a AOGs and seized their vehicle while they were marks the 7th NGO direct inci- checkpoint and hijacked 4 private transporting assembled IEDs. Reportedly, the dent to occur in Paktya this year. vehicles. The passengers, includ- explosive devices were to be emplaced in the Although one of the previous in- ing an IO national staff member, area of the mosque and detonated following cidents consisted of an indirect were released unharmed a few Eid prayers. mortar fire attack on the DAC in hours later, but the vehicles re- Lija Ahmad Khel District (July main at large. During the same On a different note, an AOG released 4 Turk- 6th), which impacted an NGO event a civilian vehicle refused to ish engineers in Gayan District of Paktika health facility and injured two fe- stop and the group opened fired, Province on September 3rd. The engineers male nurses, direct attacks on injuring 3 university students who had been abducted along with their driver on NGO medical facilities have been were travelling in the vehicle. In December 26th, 2010 while working for a pri- extremely unusual. The NGO in addition to this, in Ibrahim Khel vate construction company in Dand Wa Patan question had not received prior area, an AOG hijacked a vehicle (Paktya), near Muqbal Dara Village. The local threats related to their staff or transporting IMF supplies and driver was released after 3 days in captivity. programming, and claims local abducted the driver on the 3rd. Information surrounding their release remains acceptance. It should be noted The recurrence of illegal check- unclear, and it has not been elucidated whether that Paktya is home to a number points is a caution to NGOs a ransom was paid or—as the AOG statement of non-Afghan AOGs, who tend against travelling in the late after- indicates—they were released as a humanitari- to ignore the needs and prefer- noon. In addition, should move- an gesture in ―respect to the month of Rama- ences of local communities. ment be required national staff dan‖. THE ANSO REPORT Page 14

NGO Incidents LAGHMAN Year to Date 1 LAGHMAN 50 This Report Period 0 In Laghman the overall level of 40 incident reporting was relatively 30 with no known connection to the high, with a total of 26 security 20 GOA or ANSF, indicating that events, of which 11 were attribut- 10 ed to AOGs. The vast majority of the expectation of ransom may reported incidents were related to have been the motivation. On the 0 th IED emplacement, however 5 , 2 of the abductees were released, however the remaining 3 night-time insecurity along the LAGHMAN AOG LAGHMAN Crime Jalalabad – Kabul Highway mani- were still in captivity at the time of fested again in Qarghayi District, writing. Another abduction was reported on the 11th, when an un- 12 IED initiated incidents, of which 5 detonat- with several AOG checkpoints ed. IED emplacement was concentrated in and subsequent abductions. The known armed group stopped a private vehicle in Khayrokhel area Alingar and Mihtarlam districts. In Alingar, in first reported incident occurred addition to 3 IED discoveries, 3 detonations st at around 2200 hrs, and abducted on the 31 of August at approxi- were reported, with 1 in Dareng and 2 in mately 2200 hrs in Tangay area. 3 civilians while they were travelling towards Jalalabad City. These Shakhatra on the main road leading to the ANP were deployed to the area in DAC against IMF and ANA vehicles. Fur- order to deal with the incident and incidents should serve to caution NGO staff against travelling on thermore, 2 detonations occurred in Mih- engaged the AOG in a brief fire tarlam, Baba Saheb area against an ANP vehi- fight (no casualties). The most the highway outside of the recom- mended hours (i.e. 0900-1500 hrs) cle and in the Hakimabad area. The latter IED serious incident took place on the detonation resulted in the death of 1 civilian 3rd at 2100 hrs, in Kharakhel area. and to especially avoid night travel. and injuries to another. Of the attacks in An unidentified armed group Qarghayi, one was particularly noteworthy, as In the last fortnight, 3 AOG di- stopped a private vehicle and ab- it targeted an ANA observation post (OP) lo- rect attacks were recorded (2 in ducted 5 persons while they were cated along the Jalalabad – Kabul Highway in Alingar and 1 in Qarghayi), travelling towards Jalalabad City. Sang-e Kalima area of Tangay. This incident involved civilians whereas the province experienced

NGO Incidents NURISTAN NURISTAN Year to Date 1 50 This Report Period 0 40 Incident reporting from Nuristan 30 is usually quite low, with this peri- bers were also killed during the 20 od being no exception. In the last 10 fire fight, however this infor- 0 two weeks only 4 security inci- mation has not been confirmed. dents were reported from the An occurrence of AOG initiated NURISTAN AOG NURISTAN Crime province. Yet this low reporting indirect fire was reported from is related more to the inaccessibil- Nurgalam District, where a rocket weapons in a fight that resulted in 1 AOG ity of the province than to a real was fired towards a joint IM- killed. The following day the AOG continued absence of activities. F/ANA base located in Kala their attacks against the ANP in the area in a On the 28th of August, an AOG Gosh area. As frequently is the sporadic fire fight which would continue for attacked an ANP CP located in case, the projectile missed the in- six days, before ceasing—probably only tem- the Paprok area, close to Parun tended target and detonated in an porary—on September 11th. It has been re- City. The attack instigated a two- open area. ported that as a result, 1 ANP and 6 AOG hour long fire fight which resulted AOG pressure on Bargi Matal members were killed. in the deaths of 2 ANP. In addi- manifested itself this reporting Of further note, Waygal remains firmly under tion, the AOG abducted 4 ANP period with prolonged attacks on AOG control, and reports continue to be re- servicemen. Subsequently, the ANP check posts in Pachi Gram ceived that the AOG intends to expand their locals engaged the AOG and res- area. On the 6th, an AOG at- control towards Bargi Matal and Kamdesh cued the abductees. There were tacked an ANP check post in the districts. further reports that 6 AOG mem- said area with SAF and heavy THE ANSO REPORT Page 15

S OUTHERN R EGION

NGO Incidents KANDAHAR K ANDAHAR 200 Year to Date 2 150 Kandahar experienced a panoply This Report Period 0 of incidents during this report 100 cycle, the most notable of which curred in Kandahar City alone). 50 being an SVBIED attack against a Around 120 targeted killings have 0 PSC compound in Kandahar City, been reported between January and District 7, on 4 September, result- mid September 2010. Additionally, KANDAHAR AOG KANDAHAR Crime ing in 3 killed (2 PSC guards and 1 51 ACG initiated targeted killings civilian) and 21 wounded PSC were recorded since the beginning guards. This marks another inci- of 2011. NGO staff were targeted operation in Panjwayi District, indicating an dent in a series of 7 attacks during in such killings on two occasions, AOG tactic of ―seeding‖ an area with IEDs which suicide vectors have been one in 2011 and one in 2010, both in order to hamper the movements of securi- utilized against a variety of securi- of which were attributed to ACGs. ty forces. ty- related targets during the last For IEDs, there were at least 8 AOG continue to favour direct attacks, as two weeks across the southern strikes against security targets, with a attested by the total of 21 attacks in this re- region. Three of these suicide total result of 5 ANP officials killed, port cycle, the large majority against ANP attacks occurred in Kandahar City 4 IMF and 4 ANP wounded. A posts, geographically concentrated on Zhari (this includes the latest incident further 5 IED strikes primarily af- District. Most attacks were carried out as and 2 other separate SVBIED fected civilians, including 2 incidents brief engagements, in which AOG escaped attacks within two minutes on the occurring while local vehicles were afterwards. One incident of note was the 27 August against 2 ANP sta- in transit, resulting in 2 killed civil- attack on an IMF foot patrol in District 9 of tions). With the end of the Eid ians and one wounded, while three Kandahar City by an AOG member, during celebrations it is likely that these other separate IED explosions in which an IMF soldier was killed. Subse- attacks mark the return of the Maruf, Kandahar City and Zhari quently IMF opened fire, resulting the killing fighting season. Nonetheless, an Districts, killed 4 children and of the perpetrator and 3 civilians, who were increased continuation of such wounded 4 others. These are regu- allegedly killed during in the crossfire. attacks should not be ruled out, as lar occurrences in the use of IED IMF/ANSF-initiated actions were also fre- it presents a significant threat to tactics, most probably resulting quent with at least 21 operations (including 3 NGOs, who are advised to avoid from less ―sophisticated‖ and more airstrikes), most of which occurred in Kan- proximity to security related tar- indiscriminate victim- operated de- dahar City and Zhari District. Altogether 32 gets, as IMF, ANSF and PSC per- vices. Most IEDs have a timer or AOG members were arrested and 12 AOG sonnel and facilities, whenever they are radio-controlled, so as to members were killed. In addition, assort- possible. enable attackers to identify their ments of weapons, explosives, IED compo- In this period, in four separate targets. The emplacement of nents, hand grenades and ammunition have targeted killings, 3 ANP officials ―dumb‖ IEDs and also pressure- been seized. In Zhari District, near Qalacha and the former body guard of an activated devices without additional Village, IMF/ANP discovered 71 IEDs in a ex-AOG commander were exe- modification increases the random- bomb ―factory‖ during an operation, while cuted in Kandahar City by hit ness of targeting, subsequently in- in Dand District, IMF/ANSF seized ap- teams on motorbikes. In addi- ducing a greater threat toward civil- proximately 80 IEDs from an abandoned tion, 4 separate attacks on 4 civilians, as well as NGO staff, while in house. ians were reported. However, the transit. Finally, in Maywand District, 8 AOG mem- tactic of targeted killings is contin- Another threat is the utterly high bers were killed and 4 were wounded, when uing unabatedly in Kandahar. A volume of devices deployed. At this their house exploded while they were con- look into the data reveals that period there were at least 44 IED structing explosive devices, hinting the lack around 110 AOG-initiated target- discoveries reported in 17 separate of proper training and knowledge to handle ed killings have been reported incidents. The stand-out was the such kind of devices. over 2011, until mid- September discovery of 25 separate devices in (of which 72% (80) attacks oc- the ground during one IMF/ANSF THE ANSO REPORT Page 16

H ELMAND NGO Incidents HELMAND Year to Date 2 350 This Report Period 0 300 250 The extremely high level of secu- AOG message to enhance the mo- 200 rity incidents in Helmand contin- rale of the fighters for the continu- 150 ued in the last two weeks, attest- ation of the fighting season after 100 ing further that this province re- Ramadan and the Eid celebrations. 50 0 mains the most precarious in the In another noticeable incident, a southern area. The most notable vehicle rigged with explosives HELMAND AOG HELMAND Crime incident occurred on the 8th of (VBIED) detonated while ANP September in Sangin District Cen- personnel were conducting an op- tre, when a Toyota Corolla rigged eration in the Musa Qala Bazaar as an SVBIED approached the area. As a result, one ANP and compound of the District HQ. one civilian were killed and eight ANP sentries tried to stop the car civilians were wounded. before it could enter the com- AOG direct attacks against IM- pound. The SVBIED attacker F/ANSF and IED-related inci- detonated his device close to the 12 September, a member of the Ulema Shura dents constituted the vast majority gate of the District HQ, killing in Lashkar Gah was shot and killed by a mo- of recorded incidents across the him, 3 ANP officials and 4 civil- torbike hit team. On 6 September an ALP province. ians; furthermore, 1 ANP and 4 commander was shot and killed in Lashkar civilians were wounded. In re- This reporting period saw 44 IED Gah District in front of his house. In the gards to Sangin District, this inci- strikes across the province, which most recent incident a civilian administrator dent marks the second suicide resulted in 1 ALP, 2 AOG, 4 civil- was killed by unknown armed men in a attack since the beginning of ians killed, with 2 ALP and 2 civil- mosque in Nad Ali district on 14 September. 2011. This is quite rare, consider- ians wounded. This includes one The motive and perpetrators behind the latest ing that the security environment incident of note, when an IED incident in Nad Ali remain unknown; howev- in Sangin District remains highly detonated against a local vehicle in er, unconfirmed reports indicate that this as- volatile and the district regularly Nahri Sarraj District, killing two sassination could be understood as a family hosts a significant level of AOG civilians and wounding two others. dispute. To date, the number of targeted kill- kinetic activity (more than 310 AOG continued the standard es- ings in Helmand has amounted to 34 inci- AOG-initiated incidents since tablished trend of direct attacks. dents since the beginning of 2011, with at beginning of 2011) as well as Fifty-eight direct attacks have been least 35% (12) of these incidents occurring in ANSF/IMF pro-active operations reported, primarily targeting ANSF Lashkar Gah City. The total number of 34 (approximately 250 operations, and IMF patrols, and focused on incidents until mid of September 2011 shows including IED discover- Musa Qala, Nahri Sarraj, Nad Ali a significant increase compared with the num- ies/disposals). It was also the and Lashkar Gah, which resulted in ber of 24 targeted killings over the entire year second suicide attack in Helmand numerous casualties, mainly on the of 2010. within two weeks. The last side of ANP. This includes the As noted in previous reports, ANSF/IMF SVBIED attack occurred in Lash- casualties of an AOG attack against continued to conduct numerous operations kar Gah City against a ANA vehi- an ANP post in Nahri Sarraj Dis- throughout the province. During this period, cle, in front of the Kabul Bank. trict, near Awbazan Village, with security forces focused their efforts on Nahri Further of note, a series of seven two ANP and three civilians killed Sarraj, Marjah, Lashkar Gah and Nawa-Y- SVBIED strikes (including the and two ANP and two civilians Barakzai, resulting in the detention of at least two attacks in Helmand) was re- wounded. 50 AOG members. Fourteen AOG associates ported during the last two weeks In the last two weeks the trend of were also reportedly killed. It is worth noting in the Southern Region, during targeted killings continued in Hel- that ANSF/IMF were particularly successful which suicide vectors were uti- mand, shown by three separate in the discovery and disposal of IEDs, as an lized against a variety of targets. incidents, two of them occurring in estimated 60 devices were disposed of from This could be interpreted as an Lashkar Gah. In one incident on across the province. THE ANSO REPORT Page 17

NGO Incidents GHAZNI G HAZNI Year to Date 1 250

This Report Period 0 200 The level of security-related inci- base in Gelan District Centre. 150 dents throughout Ghazni prov- The level of emplaced explosive 100 ince remains high, with at least 88 devices increased significantly 50 reported incidents. As seen in during the last two weeks, with a 0 previous cycles, the majority of total of 22 IEDs detonating in them were related to AOG. Fifty- Andar, Qarabagh, Muqur, Ghazni GHAZNI AOG GHAZNI Crime nine out of 88 incidents were initi- and Waghaz Districts. IED ex- ated by AOG, which displays a plosions caused numerous casual- ratio of 67% favouring AOG at- ties, among them 24 wounded tacks. IMF soldiers. This includes one AOG activities continue to follow notable occurrence in Qarabagh the standard established trend of District, when an IED detonated direct attacks against ANSF/IMF against an IMF patrol. Subse- and against district centres. Thir- quently, AOG attacked the same ty-four direct attacks have been patrol with SAF, with the result of partment of the ANP HQ in Ghazni, on 6 reported during this report cycle, one AOG member killed and 11 September while he was on his way home. To which presents a drop compared IMF soldiers wounded. On an- date, at least 27 similar occurrences were rec- with the last report cycle (60 re- other note. 4 PSC guards were orded across Ghazni Province since the begin- ported direct attacks). The brunt killed, 2 were wounded when a ning of 2011, mainly against ANP and, to a of direct attacks was focused on roadside IED hit a PSC vehicle. lesser extent, against GoA officials and local Andar, Ajristan, Ghazni, Civilian casualties have been re- civilians who are suspected to have relation Qarabagh, Ab Band Districts and ported in at least 6 incidents, with with IMF. This is a sharp increase compared directed against ANP posts, IM- a total of 4 killed and 5 wounded with 2010 when 26 targeted killings were re- F/ANA bases and district centres. civilians. In one incident an IED ported over the entire year. The average num- However, most of the attacks hit a civilian vehicle and killed 2 ber of targeted killings during 2010 was 2 inci- were ineffective, as AOG escaped civilians; while on another occa- dents per month, while from January until mid after brief engagements, with the sion, 2 civilian bystanders were of September 2011 the average of such inci- exception of three attacks, during killed, when in Muqur District dents has been 3 per month. Of note, around which several casualties were pro- Centre an IED detonated against 52% of the reported targeted killings in 2011 duced (1 ANA soldier with1 ANP an IMF vehicle. have been directed against ANP personnel, resulting in 14 ANP officials killed. officer were killed, and 3 ANP Similar to other southern areas, officers, with 1 ANA soldier and the trend of targeted killing is also IMF/ANSF were also very active as well dur- 1 civilian were wounded). continuing unabatedly in Ghazni ing this period, leading numerous operations During this period the district Province. This includes the assas- across the province. In total, 15 AOG mem- centres of Gelan, Giro and Andar sination of the Chief of Police of bers were detained and another 22 were killed. received several rockets and mor- Ab Band District in Ghazni City This includes an airstrike, in which the target tar attacks (10). The large majori- by a mobile hit team on 10 Sep- was a mosque in Andar District Centre, result- ty of these incidents did not result tember, while he was in transit ing in 8 AOG killed. Furthermore, a variety of weapons, explosives, mines and ammunition in casualties; however, two nation- with his car, as well as and the al interpreters were killed and killing of one ANP officer, who were seized by IMF/ANSF three other wounded when a mor- was the head of the financial de- tar round impacted inside an IMF THE ANSO REPORT Page 18

NGO Incidents NIMROZ N IMROZ Year to Date 0 100 This Report Period 0 Reporting from the province 80 remained limited with 14 inci- last incident occurred on 4 Septem- 60 dents recorded. The geograph- ber in the same area, in form of a 40 ical pattern focused on Khash brief fire fight, due to another intru- 20 sion attempt by Iranian Border forc- Rod and Zaranj districts con- 0 sists with previous cycles. The es. Khash Rod District accounted of most notable incident occurred 70% (9 cases) of all reported inci- NIMROZ AOG NIMROZ Crime dents, while 5 incidents were report- on 14 September of which be- AOG stopped a bus and abducted 5 civilians ed from Zaranj District. In this peri- ing a 90 minute-long fire fight from the bus. The circumstances are not od two IED-related incidents were between Iranian and Afghan known at this stage; however, it could be inter- reported from Khash Rod, both af- border forces in Abdurrahman preted as another intimidation attempt by fecting civilian vehicles, resulting in Lala Area in Zaranj District, AOG against the local population, by identify- one wounded and one killed civilians. after Iranian border forces en- ing the abducted persons as locals with relation direct and indirect attacks have been tered Afghan territory. Reports to IMF or GoA. A look into the 2011 data the primary AOG tactic, with this suggest that the intrusion oc- revealed that 3 incidents included 2 cases of period recording 5 direct attacks curred in an attempt from Irani- civilians killed by AOG over the charges of against ANP posts, all of them occur- an Border Forces to set up a spying for IMF or GoA, and a national staff ring in Khash Rod District, but caus- new border post. Further re- from a PDO was killed by AOG, as the PDO ing no casualties. In addition, 2 sepa- ports indicate that both coun- was likely perceived as closely associated with rate indirect fire attacks were report- tries stake claims to an area IMF and GoA. IMF carried out an airstrike on ed in Khash Rod both targeting ANP called Guzar-i-Khwaja area, 6 September in Khash Rod District, during HQs in Ghorghori and Dilaram, around 2 kilometres from which 6 AOG members were killed. Further- wounding one ANP officer in Ghor- Zaranj City. That caused already more, two AOG members were arrested dur- ghori. numerous border disputes. The ing an operation.

U RUZGAN NGO Incidents URUZGAN Year to Date 0 100 This Report Period 0 The volume of AOG-initiated 80 activities decreased slightly since during an assault on an ANP post 60 the previous reporting cycle. in Dihrawud District. 40 Nineteen AOG-perpetrated Three indirect attacks were report- 20 incidents were geographically ed, the most notable of which be- 0 concentrated on Dihrawud, ing two rockets launched by AOG, Char Chino, Tirin Kot, Chora, which impacted inside an ANA URUZGAN AOG URUZGAN Crime Khas Uruzgan and Shaihdi Has- camp in Tirin Kot, killing two sas Districts, of which 52% (10) ANA soldiers and wounding an- tions with GoA. It appears that this is another were effective IED explosions. other. Apart from these attacks attempt to set an example for the local com- These IED incidents occurred and IED incidents, AOG activity munity in order to intimidate them. mainly in the aforementioned manifested itself with 4 incidents of IMF/ANSF conducted at least 4 documented districts. As already mentioned targeted killing and efforts of in- operations – occurring in Dihrawud, Chora in previous reports, IEDs are timidation towards the local popu- and Khas Uruzgan Districts - resulting in 6 increasingly representing a risk lation. In two separate incidents in arrested and 11 killed AOG members. Besides of involvement of civilian casu- Dihrawud and Tirin Kot, for exam- of these operations, 10 IED discoveries and alties, alongside NGOs, espe- ple, AOG assassinated ANP per- disposals were reported. sonnel, with the result of one ANP cially when in transit. Recent received reports indicated that on 15 killed in Dihrawud and one Direct attacks decreased during September, 10 AOG members, including a wounded ANP officer in Tirin the present cycle and were car- middle rank commander, surrendered in Char Kot. In another incident a civilian ried out on 2 occasions in Dih- Chino District to the GoA. On the other side, was shot and killed by AOG, after rawud and in Khas Uruzgan. in Khas Uruzgan District 3 ALP member sur- having been accused of having rela- One ANP officer was killed rendered to AOG. THE ANSO REPORT Page 19 NGO Incidents ZABUL Z ABUL Year to Date 0 100 This Report Period 0 Zabul witnessed 47 security inci- 80 dents. AOG direct and indirect killed by AOG elements, riding on a 60 attacks and IED deployment rep- motorbike. It should be noted that 40 resent 23 of the volume level an ALP commander was abducted in 20 which is consistent with the previ- Shamulzayi district. There is no fur- 0 ous cycle. Shinkay and Shahjoy ther information available at this stage; however, this abduction could Districts experienced the majority ZABUL AOG ZABUL Crime of AOG-initiated incidents. Apart be understood as an AOG-initiated intimidation effort against ALP in from 2 indirect fire attacks against an ALP convoy and 2 ALP posts oc- (targeting a PSC compound in Zabul, in order to boost the morale of ALP members to surrender to curred in July and August 2011, all in Shajoy Shinkay and the district centre of district, and with no casualties. Shinkay, with no casualties report- AOG or to stop their deployment ed), the pace of IED incidents with the ALP units. The ALP are In 9 separate discovery and disposal opera- remained robust, with 7 reported supposed to conduct patrols in their tions, ANSF located 65 IEDs in Qalat, Shah- occurrences, including 2 separate communities, provide information joy, Naw Bahar, Daychopan District, includ- detonation in Shahjoy District, about AOG activities, and defend ing an operation in Shamulzayi District during killing an ANA soldier and a civil- against AOG attacks and infiltration. which approximately 40 IEDs were discov- ian. Nine direct attacks have been The diffuse nature of the ALP – with ered and disposed. ANSF/IMF operations confirmed so far, all of them tar- the members staying in their homes conducted in Qalat, Naw Bahar and Tarnak geting ANP posts. when not on community duty – Wa Jaldak resulted in weapon and ammunition makes them vulnerable to AOG tar- seizures, the arrest of several AOG elements In Kharwariyan Area in Qalat dis- geting. Three additional attacks and the killing of at least 7 AOG members. trict an on-duty ANP officer was

P AKTIKA NGO Incidents PAKTIKA Year to Date 0 200 This Report Period 0 The level of incidents in Paktika 150 declined significantly, compared had little effect and no casualties 100 with the previous cycle, during Seven direct attacks occurred, fore- 50 which more than 100 AOG- most in Jani Khel, Dila, Barmal and 0 perpetrated incidents were report- Sarobi districts, all of which were ed. directed against IMF convoys. As is PAKTIKA AOG PAKTIKA Crime Fifty-eight security incidents have often the case, AOG direct attacks been reported, of which 38 were on IMF convoys are hit and run AOG-initiated incidents. This operations, with short engagements, pants killed, and nine occupants wounded. sharp decline could be explained having small effect. However, one AOG carried out another attempt of intimida- by the Eid celebrations, during direct attack on an IMF patrol re- tion, when they killed on 6th of September in which a lot of AOG members had sulted in one IMF soldier killed and Waza Khwa District Centre in one incident 2 moved across the border, to Paki- one ANA soldier wounded. civilians indicted of spying for IMF. As in oth- stan. However, this should be IED-related incidents are playing er southern provinces, targeted killings and understood as a temporary situa- further a little role in the province. 5 intimidation efforts have also manifested in tion, as the fighting season will IED detonations were reported. Paktika. The targets are usually ANP person- continue in the near future Four IED strikes resulted in numer- nel, locals suspected to be associated with Nonetheless, as observed in previous casualties. Two notable IED IMF, as well GoA officials. Among the 13 ous reporting periods AOG per- strikes occurred in Barmal District. reported targeted killings during 2011 at least 5 sisted in leading numerous attacks A roadside IED detonated against were targeting civilians who were indicted of against DACs across the province, an ANP/NDS convoy, killing 4 spying for IMF or GoA. in particular those involving indi- ANP officers and wounding 4 NDS IMF/ANSF led 9 operations, including 3 air- rect fire, with focus on Barmal, officials and 1 ANP officer. In an- strikes, which were concentrated on Dila, Ur- Nika, Urgun and Gayan districts. other incident in Barmal District, a gun, Yousuf Khel and Barmal, and resulted in Twenty-three such occurrences local vehicle was hit by a roadside the reported detention of 19 AOG members were recorded. The large majority IED, resulting in 6 civilian occu- and other 15 AOG associates killed. THE ANSO REPORT Page 20

W ESTERN R EGION

NGO Incidents ERAT Year to Date 6 HERAT H 50 This Report Period 0 Despite hosting no AOG inci- 40 dents this period, insecurity rose Obe and 2 AOG incidents in 30 Pashtun Zarghun). Of particular in the form of increased sectarian 20 note, the total number of AOG tension between Shiites and Sun- 10 nis in Herat City. The sectarian incidents in Obe increased from 5 tension in Herat City has generally between January and August in 0 been low: with no sectarian inci- 2010, to 29 during the same peri- dents reported since February od in 2011, and the security situa- HERAT AOG HERAT Crime 2006 (when the Ashura commem- tion along the main road (particularly west of Obe—which oration turned into clashes be- ern districts. Both Shindand and Adraskan tween supporters of Shiite and connects Herat and Chaghcharan City—traversing Pashtun Zar- recorded 2 AOG incidents, most of which Sunni, resulting in the deaths of 4 involved IED detonations or direct fire attacks civilians). However, new tensions ghun, Obe, and Chishti Sharif) has continued to deteriorate. with SAF and RPGs on high profile targets were triggered when copies of a (PSC convoys). In the northern districts, only CD criticizing the Sunni sect were However, the recent deployments of approximately 900 ANA forces Kushk hosted AOG incidents (2): one of these distributed throughout the city by involved a direct fire attack on an ANA vehicle a group of Shiite supporters. Alt- to Obe and the eastern part of Pashtun Zarghun over the second patrolling the Herat-Turghundi main road. hough both the GOA and Provin- Overall, in the southern and northern districts, cial Ulemma Shura—composed of week of September has appeared to reverse the security situation in the use of IED and direct fire attacks against clerics of both sects—were active- high profile targets remained the common tac- ly engaged in attempting to settle these eastern districts. Following the deployment, there has been tics for AOGs, consistent with long term the issue (the ANP arrested some trends. distributers), the situation has re- only one AOG incident in Obe, mained volatile. This was demon- with the large ANA presence re- As for the western districts, a SVBIED attack strated in an incident where un- portedly dislodging an AOG un- on an IMF convoy in Ghoryan was recorded known men tried to exacerbate der a prominent commander in this reporting period, but the total number of the tension by throwing a hand- the western part of Pashtun Zar- AOG incidents remained low (one incident in grenade into a Shiite area of the ghun (AOG incidents after the Gulran and one other in Ghoryan). This inci- city (the explosion caused no cas- ANA deployment have occurred dent marks only the second SVBIED attack in ualties or damages). As for the only in the western part of the Herat Province this year, with the first being outskirt of Herat City, the volume district). While the ANA have against the PRT on May 30th, and so they re- of AOG activity remained low secured these areas (mainly the main rare. In fact, apart from Gulran, security and consistent with long standing western part along the main road) has not deteriorated in the western districts trends: one minor AOG incident and the eastern part of Pashtun (only 5 AOG incidents recorded in both Ghor- occurred in Guzara (when AOGs Zarghun, AOGs are likely to yan and Kohsan this year). While a possibility attacked civilians who were ac- move their activity into other are- of recent AOG infiltration in Ghoryan District cused of robbery), while Injil as where there is less resistance, cannot be ignored, the latest incident alone is hosted no incidents this reporting such as the northeast of Obe and not sufficient to suggest a significant shift in period. the western part of Pashtun Zar- the existent security paradigm, and appears ghun. likely to remain an outlier. At the provincial level, AOG activity was concentrated in the east- AOG activity this reporting peri- ern districts (4 AOG incidents in od also continued to be concentrated in the southern and north- THE ANSO REPORT Page 21

NGO Incidents B ADGHIS Year to Date 0 BADGHIS This Report Period 0 50 This reporting period, Badghis 40 recorded 16 AOG incidents in of incidents in Murghab were 30 total, a slight decrease from the AOG-initiated (11 out of 16) this 20 previous reporting period (17) and reporting period, while other dis- 10 a general continuation of the tricts such as Ghormach and 0 downward trend initiated last Muqur—which have both tradi- month during Ramadan. The tac- tionally hosted a high number of tical pattern between the use of AOG incidents—showed a sharp BADGHIS AOG BADGHIS Crime IED and direct fire attacks with decrease compared to the PRP. SAF and RPGs was again re- Of note, AOG incidents in Ghor- versed in comparison with the mach have been almost absent AOG incidents slightly increased this reporting PRP. The total number of IED (only 1 AOG incident recorded) period (from 2 to 3) in comparison with the attacks dropped from 9 to 4, while despite an increase in AOG inci- PRP. Of note, most of these AOG attacks the number of direct fire attacks dents across the border in the targeted ANSF check points and patrol vehi- conversely rose from 6 to 8. Alt- North (Qaysar), with the recent cles, and all of them occurred in Khair Khana hough these attacks were com- increase in IMF/ANSF opera- area, which the GOA has made the focal point monly aimed at high profile tar- tions a likely reason. These opera- of their ALP program. The recent dramatic gets such as ANSF/IMF or ALP tions may have caused AOGs to increase in the size of ALP forces—which along the main roads, the frequent move into and focus more on have become the largest of such in the prov- change between the two tactics strategically important areas in ince (detailed in the previous bi-weekly)— suggests resource management or Murghab, or move North to corresponding with the intensification of AOG a willingness on the part of AOGs Qaysar District in Faryab Prov- attacks in the district may signal an attempt by to make tactical choices that adapt ince (Northern Region). AOGs to damage the credibility of the pro- to fit each situation. In Qadis, another district that has gram, which is ongoing throughout Badghis At the district level, the majority traditionally seen a high level of Province. AOG activity, the total number of

NGO Incidents FARAH F ARAH Year to Date 4 50 This Report Period 0 40 This reporting cycle Farah hosted 30 tern of AOG activity remained 11 AOG incidents, an increase 20 reversing the downward trend that consistent with longer term trends. The tactical choices of 10 had occurred over the previous 0 month during Ramadan (6 AOG AOGs also remained unchanged, incidents). In spite of this upturn, with a prevalent use of IEDs and FARAH AOG FARAH Crime the total number of AOG inci- direct fire attacks employing SAF and RPGs against high profile dents did not reach that of July has been expanding in Khaki Safed and Pusht targets (IMF/ANSF convoys or 2011, which was the peak of Rod. Of note, approx. 100 ALP members check points). The total number AOG activity this year were newly recruited in Khaki Safed this re- of IED incidents this period re- (approximately 20 incidents per 2 porting period. Further, according to some mained similar to the last (3), weeks). It is assessed as likely that official sources, the GOA is planning to ex- while the number of SAF inci- this upward trend will continue pand the program into Bala Buluk in the next dents increased slightly from 2 to until November, when AOG ac- few months (the exact time remains unclear). 3. tivity traditionally drops for the These are noteworthy dynamics to monitor, as winter season. The expansion of the ALP pro- the growing size and operating areas of the At the district level, most AOG gram throughout the province has ALP program could substantially shift the local incidents continued to be concen- also continued. Since January power dynamics and spark tribal disputes as trated in the central districts such 2011 (with the official announce- seen throughout the western region. as Pusht Rod, Bala Buluk, and ment commencing around the end Bakwa, and the geographical pat- of June 2010), the ALP program THE ANSO REPORT Page 22

NGO Incidents G HOR Year to Date 12 GHOR This Report Period 1 50 There was one NGO incident 40 recorded in Ghor Province this and prevent any leakage of infor- 30 reporting cycle. With the tempo- mation to the AOG in case an 20 rary return of a former prominent ANP operation is planned against 10 commander to Taywara—the them in the future. 0 commander currently holds a high The armed clash between an position in the GOA—the ANP AOG and a group of local civil- made a district level decision to ians in Tulak that occurred during GHOR AOG GHOR Crime collect satellite phones from two this reporting period further separate INGOs‘ field offices (as demonstrated a long term security trend of localized conflicts well as other private organizations other during this one). Apparently the check- amongst local commanders. The in Taywara). Collected items had points were singled out because ANP officers conflict involved an AOG under a not been returned as of the writ- in the both cases were associates of the rival prominent local commander with ing of this report. Although the commander. These attacks, combined with strong influence in Shahrak and exact motive behind this incident the AOG-civilian clash mentioned above, the north of Tulak, who has a remains uncertain, a longstanding demonstrate the province's continuing issues long history of conflict with a rival conflict between the ex- com- with power struggles between local command- commander from the same areas. mander and his rival (who has a ers. Issues such as these are likely to remain The rival commander has recently strong link with AOG from Hel- significant for the short and long term security joined the GOA. Local civilians mand) appears to be the likely paradigm for the province. cause. According to some anec- were reportedly supporters of this dotal reports, aid has recently AOG commander, and injuries to Besides the ongoing power struggles of local shifted toward communities be- three of these civilians during the powerbrokers, the overall total volume of longing to the rival AOG com- clash—as well as the abduction of AOG incidents increased notably from 4 (last mander, which has raised the per- another—are likely to exacerbate period) to 10. Most of these were concentrat- ception among supporters of the the tension. Furthermore, two ed in Tulak and Chaghcharan, with the rest ex-commander that some NGOs similar incidents occurred where spread equally across Shahrak (1), Charsada were indirectly supporting the the AOG under the same com- (1), Taywara (1), and Passaband (1). This re- AOG. In that light, the collection mander attacked ANP check versed the downward trend seen last month of satellite phones is likely being points in the same area (one dur- over the latter half of Ramadan. conducted in order to map actors ing the previous period and the Contact List Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) / (Taliban) Afghanistan of Emirate Islamic / Device Explosive / od Device / militias) / Police / ACG Malach Patrick Tanchoux Camille Ronaldson Nathan Lee Nic (KABUL) MANAGEMENT COUNTRY Mukhtar Muzik Tomas OFFICE (KABUL) REGION CENTRAL Sayed Karim Yamgata Taro (HERAT) OFFICE WEST REGION Noori Lankow Volker (KANDAHAR) OFFICE SOUTH REGION Naseer Brown Rory (JALALABAD) OFFICE EAST REGION Firoz Laguardia Brian (MAZAR) OFFICE NORTH REGION - PSC Armed Criminal Group / Group Criminal Armed -

- [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] - - ANP -

IMF [email protected] [email protected] Private Security Company / Company Private Security [email protected] [email protected] - DC

[email protected] [email protected] - - - - - Afghan National Police / National Afghan

International Military Forces / Military International

District Centre / District [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - -

[email protected] [email protected]

- - [email protected] [email protected]

- [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] - PDO

- [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] - Private Development Organisation / Organisation Development Private AEF GOA

Afghan Eradication Forces / Forces Eradication Afghan -

- Government of Afghanistan / of Afghanistan Government 0799 408252

0700 492550 RPG 077 2546 242

AOG -

0799 325349 - -

0799 248 362 0799 248 - - 116 0799 322 -

PSG Rocket Propelled Grenade / Grenade Propelled Rocket 0707 474135

- 0799 322 192 0799 322 - Armed Opposition Group / Group Opposition Armed

- NDS - 0796 688 416 0796 688

- 0799 323792 0799 404617

0793 230118 0797 165017 Provincial Shadow Governor (IEA) / (IEA) Governor Shadow Provincial -

- 0797 093073 National Directorate of Security (Intelligence) / (Intelligence) Security of Directorate National

COMMON ACRONYMS COMMON

INFO +

ALP

ANA - Afghan Local Police / Police Local Afghan IDF - Afghan National Army / Army National Afghan ANSO is overseen by an NGOAdvisory ANSOoverseen is If Board. you have any NGO can register toup NGOcan five personsto eachof ANSO mailing - Indirect Fire (ex: mortars) / mortars) Fire (ex: Indirect SAF APPF questions or feedback, or questions goodor on: bad, knowlet them FARAH HERAT ANSO ANSO WEST -

Small Arms Fire / Small Fire Arms NIMROZ - lists. For a a For lists. registrationform contact: please Afghan Public Protection Forces (local deputised deputised (local Forces Protection Public Afghan BADGHIS No provinces werethis No missing provinces period ANSO ANSO SOUTH HELMAND [email protected] [email protected] DSG GHOR FARYAB MISSING THIS PERIOD.? MISSING THIS KANDAHAR LDI - District Shadow Governor (IEA) Governor Shadow District JAWZJAN URUZGAN ANSO ANSO NORTH DAYKUNDI - Local Defence Initiative / Defence Initiative Local ANSO ANSO CENTRAL ANBP VBIED ZABUL BAMYAN BALKH SAMANGAN GHAZNI PRP

WARDAK IED - Afghan National Border Border National Afghan KUNDUZ - PAKTIKA Vehicle Borne Improvised Improvised Borne Vehicle BAGHLAN PARWAN - - Previous Reporting Peri- Reporting Previous Improvised Explosive Explosive Improvised KABUL KABUL KHOST NANGAHAR NANGAHAR BADAKSHAN ANSO REGIONAL DIVISIONS

IEA