The ANSO Report (1-15 April 2012)

CONFIDENTIAL— NGO use only No copy, forward or sale © INSO 2012

Issue 95 REPORT 1‐15 April 2012 Index COUNTRY SUMMARY Central Region 1-4 As the first quarter of this year concluded launched protracted IDF and SAF and re- 5-9 Northern Region with a significant retraction in AOG attack sisted the responders. Besides the synchro- Western Region 10-12 growth rate (-74%) over the same period in nization itself, the level of tactical prepar- 2011, AOG incident volumes remained edness of the operatives and the logistics Eastern Region 13-16 below trending expectations this cycle. were no less spectacular as these suggested Whereas GOA poppy eradication cam- an extensive training program as well as a Southern Region 17-20 paigns continued to attract a portion of pre-deployment of weaponry into the ANSO Info Page 21 AOG resources in many key areas, the launching sites. The preliminary wrap up armed opposition achieved tactical victo- includes at least 35 AOG operatives elimi-

ries with a significant range of suicide at- nated in action, alongside with 104 addi- HIGHLIGHTS tacks, a part of which was introduced as tional casualties (injured or killed) including the inauguration of the ’spring fighting sea- 35 civilians and 69 ANSF and IMF. Simultaneous AOG son’. The attacks highlighted a successful attacks in Kabul, Although it is still too early for general adoption of an ‘economy of force’ ap- conclusions, the current trending indicates Jalalabad, Puli Alam proach on the AOG side. & Gardez that AOGs may emphasize ’doing less but The first six suicide attacks were unrelated achieving enough’ as a defining factor this NGO member injured and spanned across all the regions except season, as this still serves short-term tacti- in BBIED strike in for Central. As isolated BBIED strikes cal purposes on the battlefield, while it also Badakhshan targeted local pro-GOA figures in Badakh- shapes the space for political dialogue and shan, Kunduz and Kunar, the assaults in local deals, and ultimately preserves the Six direct NGO inci- Faryab and Herat created massive civilian opposition’s resources ahead of the uncer- dents in East and casualties despite being directed towards tain future. West the security forces. More sophisticated was Meanwhile, NGOs faced a range of com- the multi-pronged attack on Musa Qala plex situations as witnessed with six direct ANSO is supported by DAC in Helmand, a likely attempt at di- and one indirect NGO incidents this cycle, verging GOA attention from poppy- for the most part authored by AOG in the producing areas. That the selected target is Eastern Region. NGO facilities and vehi- at the same time an important symbol of cles were the recipients of AOG IDF and nascent GOA administration in previously SAF attacks on two occasions, but also contested terrain is conspicuous. Also of attracted robberies, in Nangarhar, Lagh- note, the BBIED strike in Kunar was sanc- man and Khost. In the North-East, an tioned by the same IEA networks which INGO staff member injured in the BBIED used to oppose suicide activities in the past. attack in Badakhshan was the only NGO Nevertheless, the cycle culminated with the casualty this cycle while a school construc- series of seven simultaneous coordinated tion site linked to an NGO project in attacks in Kabul, Jalalabad, Gardez and Takhar attracted a direct SAF attack with- Puli Alam. In most locations, small-size out visible signs of political or criminal mo- AOG units (three to six men each) gained tivations. In Herat, AOG temporarily ab- access to high-rise structures in the vicinity ducted three de-miners and another NGO of high-profile targets from where they worker received a threatening letter.

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C ENTRAL REGION

ABUL NGO Incidents KABUL K Year to Date 3 50 This Report Period 0 A coordinated attack on the very 40 last day of the cycle interrupted a Kabul City is higher in easily ac- 30 four-month long period of calm cessible high-profile and ‘target- 20 in the capital. Although the spe- rich’ locations and that AOG 10 cific details (including the TTPs, planners are keen on replicating 0 the exact number of AOG attack- successful tactical components ers and the casualty counts) are from the previous operations. yet to be assessed, the information Nonetheless, a new feature of this currently available indicates that attack is the fact that the events KABUL AOG KABUL Crime th starting at 1345 hrs. on the 15 of were synchronized with three ported volumes remain quite low. In contrast, April, three separate AOG squads, other AOG multi-pronged as- thefts of NGO high-dollar assets from unat- around 15 operatives in total , saults in the eastern regional cen- tended vehicles are better documented and attacked three cluster areas: a) a ters, namely Jalalabad City, usually involve attempted grabs during pre- site in the vicinity of Kabul Star Gardez City and Puli Alam, alto- planned ’slashed tire’ schemes. That parking Hotel located on the ‘Ankara gether providing a clear AOG spaces in front of restaurants attract opportun- Road’ between Charaye Zambaq statement of intent ahead of the istic crime hardly comes as a surprise. In the and Charaye Shirpur in Shahre high fighting season. Despite this, end of November last year, an INGO un- Naw (PD 4); b) the Parliament and as remarked previously, AOG marked vehicle was stolen in front of Herat building, the adjacent ANP Sham- efforts in Kabul City remain driv- Restaurant in Shahre Naw. Not displaying shatu station, with volleys of IDF en by the ‘economy of force’ ap- high-value items inside the cars and not leaving also directed at the Russian Em- proach with the actual impact of the vehicles unattended will greatly mitigate bassy along the Darulaman Road AOG strikes and their frequency this strand of ambient criminality. (PD 6) and a smaller unit includ- being less important than their In total, ANSF authored 80% of reported inci- ing two BBIED and one infantry psychological effect. The current dents. In the city, the security forces focused operative intercepted by ANSF in statistics for AOG activity in the on criminality and the trade with narcotics the same area; c) the ANA Acade- capital (both for coordinated at- whereas conflict-related events pertained to a my and the adjacent IMF installa- tacks and for the overall volumes) handful of arrests in PD 8 (Arzan Qimat, Sare tions along the Jalalabad Road in remain at a six year low. Paktya Kot (PD 9). It appears Tapa). ANSF also remained active along the Otherwise, the cycle opened on access roads outside the capital with Deh Sabz, that in all three locations, well- the 1st of April with the theft of a supplied AOG secured access to Shakardara and Surobi hosting isolated sei- laptop bag from a private vehicle zures of weapon caches as well as AOG arrests elevated grounds in construction of an NGO member near the Fin- sites which were then used as in the last district. ANSF collected two IEDs est Supermarket in District 3. from the Kabul - Parwan highway in Machine staging areas for IDF and SAF After an evening shift at the uni- oriented towards multiple security Ab (Qarabagh) and from Paghman - Shakarda- versity, the staffer locked the bag ra road in Tulat (Paghman). IMF patrols in the targets in the vicinity, a tactic suc- inside the car and joined his cessfully implemented in the capi- former location attracts sporadic AOG efforts friends for a dinner in a restau- while in the latter district, road-side IEDs are tal in June and September last rant. Anecdotal evidence from year. The majority of confirmed often an expression of local armed groups pro- neighborhoods with a concentra- tecting their business interests against ANP casualties so far consist of AOG tion of educational institutions attackers and ANSF responders, interferences. Disregarding the authors, IED such as Karte Seh, Aliabad and placement in the peripheral areas typically oc- clearly indicating that civilians Parwane Du suggests that stu- were not deliberately targeted. curs after dark, a consideration to be reflected dents’ venues do attract street in NGO movement protocols. The strikes also illustrated that the criminality, though the actual re- likelihood of suicide attacks in THE ANSO REPORT Page 2

NGO Incidents L OGAR Year to Date 1 LOGAR This Report Period 0 50 In the early afternoon on the 15th 40 cluding three civilians and 18 of April, AOG launched a com- 30 ANSF-IMF. Following the uptick prehensive two-pronged attack in 20 the center of Puli Alam, as other of AOG suicide activity last year, 10 simultaneous attacks were 2011 accounted for four out of launched in Kabul, Jalalabad and seven suicide attacks ever record- 0 Gardez. The fighting and the ed in Logar with the remaining subsequent ANSF sweep in the three having occurred in 2006 and LOGAR AOG LOGAR Crime center of Puli Alam lasted 2007. This last strike demon- throughout the night with no less strates that the province remains high on the priority list of eastern Juma Khan, Khwaja Lala), whereas the opposi- than four operatives eliminated at tion countered with close-range attacks on an early stage of attack while at- AOG networks operating in Cen- tral. So far, however, the overall ANSF assets in Qalai Ali Khan and in Khedir tempting to gain entry into the Bazaar, where a ‘sticky’ IED affixed to an NDS HQ and the Governor’s AOG volumes remain low although it is also noteworthy that a IMF-contracted fuel tanker detonated during office. An additional three fight- transit along the highway in Shash Qala. Mag- ers took refuge in a neighboring significant portion of the recorded volumes took place in the provin- netic IEDs are not a common occurrence in building from where they contin- Logar, but their use has been noticed since the ued to resist the ANSF/IMF cial capital and its immediate envi- rons. For instance during this last year in the surrounding provinces includ- siege, which included airstrikes, ing Parwan, Kabul and Wardak, with the fuel until the final combat during cycle, out of a dozen security incidents equally shared between the supply convoys remaining the target of choice. which a small number of surviv- The road network in Baraki Barak and the ac- ing AOG barricaded themselves opposition and the pro-GOA security forces, one-half were car- cess to Charkh constitute the second most in the basement and continued to actively contested terrain, as witnessed with offer resistance using hand gre- ried out in, or nearby, the capital. With few exceptions, the armed several IMF-ANSF clear operations and AOG nades. Meanwhile, an additional riposte in the form of IED placement. Anec- attacker stayed prepositioned in engagements were focused along the highway north and south-east dotal reports of IEA cadres attending coordi- another adjacent building ready nation meetings in Charkh further attest to the for the last tier of the attack. The from the city center where IM- F/ANSF carried out a series of on-going AOG preparations for the Spring strike killed eight AOG, and creat- season. ed an additional 21 casualties in- targeted arrest operations (Qalai

NGO Incidents KAPISA K APISA Year to Date 0 50 This Report Period 0 40 Tagab remained heavily contested terrain as witnessed by further through IED deployment. Three 30 ANSF expansion and a steady rate heavy strikes on ANSF vehicles in 20 of AOG close-range (5) and indi- Qurghal and Omarkhel resulted in 10 14 ANSF casualties including six rect (4) attacks. The district host- 0 ed an ANSF shaping operation in fatalities. the areas of Tatar Khel - Dawlat Outside the district border, an Khel which resulted in violent RCIED closely missed the vehicle clashes on at least two occasions of a provincial representative in KAPISA AOG KAPISA Crime and came amidst reports that per- Shukhi, on the access road to occurrence through the spring and summer manent ANA reinforcements Nijrab while another RCIED campaign. Lastly, NGO exposure to collateral were deployed to Jalokhel. AOG killed an ANP commander during damage and injury was illustrated in Tagab responded with a series of direct transit in Nawabad, Mahmudi district, where seven civilian casualties oc- attacks on ANSF targets employ- Raqi. IED activity on the main curred this cycle alone, including a stray rocket ing a range of heavy weapons. roads from the capital towards the which impacted a civilian structure in the DAC Nonetheless, the most visible kinetic parts of the province will killing one and injuring three civilians. AOG advance was achieved likely remain a more common THE ANSO REPORT Page 3

NGO Incidents P ARWAN Year to Date 0 PARWAN 50 This Report Period 0 Incident levels in Parwan wit- 40 dent represents the first AOG- nessed a significant drop from 10 30 initiated close-range engagement to four against the previous cycle. 20 The security environment in the there this year. However, it bares province was mainly shaped by noting that on the 26th of January, 10 crime-related incidents, although an RCIED fixed on a gas cylinder 0 after a winter break, AOG activity with a command wire system was emerged once again in Shinwari located and defused by the ANP District in the Ghorband Valley in the Danda area of Siyagerd PARWAN AOG PARWAN Crime It was there that at 0830 hrs on (also along the Kabul – Bamyan the 9th of April an ANP patrol on artery). As past experience travelling along this road. demonstrates, AOG active in the the main Kabul – Bamyan road In Bagram, the single manifestation of insecu- valley usually target security forc- came under an AOG SAF attack rity reported this period took the form of a es. Therefore, observance of miti- in Dozd Dara. The ensuing fire shooting over a personal dispute in which a gation measures such as avoidance fight did not involve any casual- local civilian was shot and injured. Lastly, in of early-morning and late- ties, but the ANP vehicle was ex- Chaharikar city, a school teacher was killed afternoon travels, as well as main- tensively damaged. Although the while on his way home. The murder was also taining a reasonable distance from Ghorband Valley has experienced apparently related to an interpersonal dispute established AOG targets will sig- numerous AOG attacks targeting rather than to AOG activity. security forces (in particular con- nificantly decrease the risk of col- voys and checkpoints), this inci- lateral involvement for NGOs

NGO Incidents ARDAK Year to Date 1 WARDAK W 50 This Report Period 0 During the first two weeks of 40 April the overall rate of security Meanwhile, AOG concentrated 30 on disturbing vehicular movement incidents increased slightly when 20 compared to the PRP. However, along the Kabul-Ghazni Highway 10 AOG activity was still limited, as in Saydabad. On two separate among 17 incidents recorded only occasions (including a late report 0 three were authored by the oppo- of an attack staged at the end of sition, mainly IED placement and the previous period), AOG mem- WARDAK AOG WARDAK Crime close-range attacks. In contrast, bers assaulted security forces vehi- ANSF/IMF were more active, cles in Patan Khel and Hassan Khel areas, injuring a total of marked the second occurrence of magnetic and small-scale operations on IEDs targeting IMF fuel supplies in the pro- their side accounted for more three ANA soldiers. In addition, on the 4th of April, a magnetic vincial capital after ANP neutralized another than 64% of all reported incidents ‘sticky’ device affixed to a tanker during the this period. ANSF and IMF pres- IED detonated on an IMF- contracted fuel tanker during PRP. A roadside IED incident was reported sured AOG cells with 11 docu- from Chaki Wardak along the road to Nirkh. mented operations in Saydabad, transit on the highway in the Dis- trict Center of Maydan Shahr. As In this instance, the device detonated and Maydan Shahr, Jalrez and Jaghatu. killed one AOG member during the emplace- These interventions resulted in 21 a result of the blast, the truck caught fire and burned which also ment, while also injuring an additional two suspected AOG members de- operatives. tained and a significant quantity of caused injuries to the driver's as- weapons and ammunition netted. sistant. Of note, the incident THE ANSO REPORT Page 4

NGO Incidents P ANJSHIR Year to Date 0 PANJSHIR This Report Period 0 50 Documented security incidents in 40 destined to intimidate an ANSF Panjshir are generally rare, alt- 30 hough one security event came to member recently settled in the 20 light this period and involved a area. Regardless of what the truth rather unusual modus operandi. Late is, armed escalations of personal 10 evening on the 9th of April, a BM- and community disputes remain a 0 1 rocket detonated in the DAC of common occurrence but rarely Bazarak. The projectile impacted impact NGO activities. The inci- in an open area without causing dent marked only the third securi- PANJSHIR AOG PANJSHIR Crime any casualties. Although the exact ty event to occur in the province reasons behind the incident re- thus far this year, and does not not go too far before the weapons are pro- main unclear, it has been put for- denote any significant shift in the duced to settle an issue, with makeshift IEDs ward that the rocket was fired NGO operational environment remaining the most current feature in this type towards a private residence most besides serving as a reminder of of incidents. That the majority of such issues likely over an interpersonal dis- the fact that the Panjshiri commu- are kept inside the communities and undis- pute. Yet, local accounts also sug- nities are well supplied in old wea- closed to non-local actors is another part of gested that the strike was actually ponry, and that local conflicts will the equation.

NGO Incidents B AMYAN Year to Date 0 BAMYAN 50 This Report Period 0 Security reporting from Bamyan 40 usually remains limited and this tack occurred at around 0745 hrs 30 period was no exception. None- and did not involve any casualty. 20 To put this incident in context, theless, sporadic AOG infiltration 10 AOG-initiated incidents in Say- into northern districts is not out- 0 side of the existing security para- ghan are less frequent than across digm and an AOG escalation the border in Kahmard, and the latest event represents the first within this pattern was document- BAMYAN AOG BAMYAN Crime ed for the second consecutive kinetic engagement since Septem- ber last year when an IMF patrol period. Whereas the previous This cycle, criminality also resurfaced in the cycle recorded a direct attack on came under an isolated RPG attack. Overt AOG hostilities are DAC of Bamyan with unknown burglars an ANP checkpoint in Eshpushta breaking into a local money exchanger's shop rd usually authored by Tala wa area of Kahmard (on the 23 of and seizing a large amount of cash. Further, March), the district of Sayghan Barfak groups, though local seg- ments of the population, namely the issue of NGO access into Bamyan was also hosted another hostility against an highlighted with the first occurrence of an ANP checkpoint four days later the residual HIG network, may facilitate support and logistics for AOG direct attack reported in the Ghorband in the Peshing area, along the Valley, as described in the Parwan section. Kahmard – Sayghan district road, the exogenous transiting groups. in the latter district. The SAF at-

NOTICE: The graphs provided in the report are accurate as of the 11th of April 2012. The NGO Incident Table includes Direct NGO Incidents by all authors including AOG, ACG and the security forces. THE ANSO REPORT Page 5

N ORTHERN REGION

NGO Incidents F ARYAB Year to Date 3 FARYAB This Report Period 0 50 Faryab remains the most kinetic 40 the stronghold of AOG leader- province in the North. This cycle 30 it notched 27 incidents prior to ship in the province—saw four 20 late reporting, which also marked operations or arrests. Many of the the highest volume of security arrests made by IMF in Faryab 10 incidents recorded in the province have been publically reported by 0 yet this year. In context, this vol- IMF as the arrest of IMU operatives, but the presence of the IMU ume demonstrates a minor in- FARYAB AOG FARYAB Crime crease—consistent with the exist- in Faryab—while existent—may not be at the level reported. To ing trends—over the 23 recorded the tension spilled over as the group marched the PRP. Unlike much of the what extent Uzbek AOG suspects—who are often labelled as to the provincial governor’s office with the North, incident volumes for Far- deceased’s body, and got into a confrontation yab remain fairly consistent with IMU—are actually associated with the elusive AOG branch remains with ANSF that caused five deaths and over 20 2011 (which saw an identical 27 in injuries. early April). In fact, thus far in questionable. th 2012, Faryab has recorded at least The most notable incidents in- The next morning (the 13 ), following Friday 143 incidents, which is slightly cluded the BBIED attack against prayers, a second smaller skirmish between the higher than the 135 accumulated US IMF in Maymana on the 4th— group and ANSF took place en route to the between January 1st and April 15th which killed 16 (civilians and IM- burial ground and resulted in the death of one in 2011. F/ANSF) and injured more than and injuries to two other participants. In light 30—preceded and followed by a of the situation, a delegation was sent from Looking at trending, Faryab sus- Kabul, and jointly with GOA officials met tained previously noted trends this number of operations against AOG commanders. Following with the religious community for the next two cycle, while recording a number of days. During these meetings, a group of reli- notable incidents. Unsurprisingly, the BBIED attack, more operations took place arresting mid- gious elders from various districts throughout insecurity continued to center Faryab asked for the removal of the Provincial around the districts of Qaysar (6), level commanders, concluding with a night raid on the 12th which Governor (PG), as well as mentioning other Almar (3), Pashtun Kot (5), and demands including the legal prosecution of the Dawlatabad/Qaramqol area targeted a religious leader who ran a madrassa in the area and was those ANSF members involved in the shoot- (4). This remains in line with pre- ing and the removal of IMF from the prov- viously established trends, but the also referred to by IMF as an IMU member. The individual - ince. Negotiations and meetings were on- reporting period also saw signifi- going at the time of this report. cant activity in Maymana (5) and who had been arrested in the past Shirin Tagab (2). TTPs in the for alleged involvement in AOG The incident appears to have been exploited by more kinetic districts remained activities, but had been pardoned political opponents of the PG, and—as some relatively consistent, with Qaysar from a long sentence - was killed suspected—it seems that the community may and Almar seeing IED detona- in the raid, and one of his broth- be looking to mirror what occurred in Sar-e tions (2) and discoveries (3), while ers and a cousin were detained. Pul, when violent demonstrations and ques- Dawlatabad and Qaramqol wit- Another brother—who worked tionable linkages to security incidents were nessed armed ANP/AOG clash- for an IO—was also temporarily used to drive the former PG out. This tactic es—making up all four of the inci- detained the next day. This makes the potential for continued civil agita- dents recorded in those districts caused a friction with his support- tion relatively strong. While no NGOs were this cycle—including one disrup- ers, and when the other two fami- directly involved or affected by any of this, tion of IED placement. Of note, ly members were not released for security in Faryab will likely continue to dimin- Pashtun Kot—often considered the funeral service later that day, ish with the coming Spring. THE ANSO REPORT Page 6

NGO Incidents B AGHLAN Year to Date 0 BAGHLAN This Report Period 0 50 While approximately half of 40 2012’s activity has taken place in This cycle witnessed three IED 30 Baghlani Jadid, this reporting cy- detonations causing a total of 23 cle was a slight exception as out of injuries, and three IED discover- 20 the total 16 security incidents, just ies. However, in this period, only 10 five took place in Baghlani Jadid. two of these (one detonation and 0 This marks a significant drop one discovery) occurred in the from the PRP where the district aforementioned district. BAGHLAN AOG BAGHLAN Crime accounted for 8 of 13. Interest- Nonetheless, Baghlani Jadid experienced the most significant esca- ingly, the total volume of incident tacks. Both of the other two IED detonations lation in the province this cycle. reporting this cycle is on par with occurred in Nahrin and targeted ANSF vehi- In the early morning on the 2nd of the same period in 2011 (15). cles. These were notably the first security inci- In terms of IED activity which April, a small IED detonated in dents in Nahrin this year. In 2011, Nahrin the Sheer Market without causing has characterized much of the witnessed 18 incidents, including two IED any injuries. This was followed by insecurity in Baghlan thus far this neutralized by the security forces. In fact, in a larger blast just 20 minutes later, year, this cycle demonstrated simi- all of last year’s incidents, only two escalations lar numbers to the PRP, although as first responders were on the were initiated by AOGs. scene. The latter IED strike placement was considerably dif- Anecdotal reports from the province have sug- ferent. The last cycle witnessed caused injuries to 12 civilians, three ANP, and two NDS, high- gested that AOGs are moving more regularly four IED discoveries and remov- outside of Puli Khumri. AOG initiated activity als and two IED detonations lighting the importance of avoid- ing strike areas until they have will likely continue to expand as the Spring (with no casualties), with all but develops, in particular in Baghlani Jadid. one of them in Baghlani Jadid. been cleared for secondary at-

NGO Incidents B ALKH Year to Date 0 BALKH 50 This Report Period 0 Despite reports that AOG high 40 level leadership has begun to 2011) 17 security incidents were 30 recorded, with 12 involving move back into Chimtal and the 20 areas west of Mazar-e Sharif, the AOGs. Even 2010 witnessed province has remained exception- more than double this volume 10 ally quiet. Balkh notched a low (11) in early April. While it is pos- 0 volume of security incidents this sible that late reporting will in- cycle (8), the majority of which (5) crease this number somewhat, the BALKH AOG BALKH Crime were in the districts south of significant decline in incident volume is noteworthy. Mazar (three in Sholgara and two CIPs play a significant role, the fact remains in Kishindeh). Further to this, While such declines have been that unlike in prior years, although AOGs have none of this cycle’s incidents were seen to some extent region wide, moved back into areas - and possibly retaken directly attributed to AOGs, with in Balkh, much of this has been some sphere of influence over the communi- the most relevant trend consisting attributed to the late winter, and ties there - they have not yet made a dedicated of three ACG related incidents some to the Critical Infrastructure attempt to retake territory control over areas the south (two in Sholgara and Protection (CIP) project which is that they previously operated in. Whether this one in Kishindeh). This marks a running in Chimtal and Chahar is due to the presence of CIPs, issues in their notably low volume of manifested Bolak (recently approved until ability to gain assets, a larger agenda, or just a insecurity for early April. The September 2012, after which ex- late start into the Spring season remains un- PRP witnessed 13 security inci- isting CIPs may be integrated into clear, as does the extent to which this lull will dents, and over the same period the ALP). However, while it is continue. last year (April 1st – April 15th, likely both the weather and the THE ANSO REPORT Page 7

NGO Incidents B ADAKHSHAN Year to Date 0 BADAKHSHAN This Report Period 0 50 Of note to the NGO community, 40 have relaxed their stance). De- when a BBIED attack occurred in 30 Kishim on the 5th targeting a well spite this marking a relative spike, 20 known local PGM commander, a it is still a lower overall total than local INGO staff member was the 14 security incidents which 10 injured in the explosion. In total, were recorded over the same peri- 0 the explosion left 16 injured and od in 2011. It remains to be seen two killed (including the PGM how incident volumes are affected BADAKHSHAN AOG BADAKHSHAN Crime commander), marking the first as the poppy season comes into BBIED strike in Badakhshan this full bloom. reports from the area suggest that NGOs year. Suicide attacks are very un- Warduj continues to be the most working regularly in the district have not had common in the province. Last insecure district in the province, major issues with the group thus far, and some year passed without any actual and accounted for four of the 11 accounts have even suggested that AOG ex- strike although an individual wear- security incidents this period, and plicitly stated their non-objection to NGO ing a BBIED vest was arrested in 12 of the 34 incidents in the prov- operations. However, the obvious potential August while attempting to enter ince this year. Notable to the lo- for the continued conflict between a mosque in Baharak. Suicide cal security paradigm, the AOG ANSF/IMF and the AOG creates the possibil- strikes stand out as strong outliers operating there has continued to ity for increased instability which may also to the existing security paradigm , grow in size and influence despite translate into the disruption of previously es- and the current attack is not as- numerous ANSF/IMF operations tablished dynamics. The reason that this area sessed as denoting the beginning against them. Anecdotal reports may be seeing renewed attention from the of any new trends at this time. also suggest that the opposition GOA - considering that the AOG is not a new However, it does serve as an im- fighters based in Warduj received development, and has shown itself to be a sig- portant reminder about the risks strong community support due to nificant actor in the area since the end of 2011 of NGO collateral exposure to the unpopularity of certain mem- - is that with the arrival of the drug harvesting IED strikes in the vicinity of secu- bers inside local ANP structure. and trafficking season, the route to Tajikistan rity targets. Of note, four arrests On the 2nd, during an AOG attack becomes key terrain to a number of actors in- were made in conjunction with on an ANBP checkpoint, the volved in the drug trade including the major the BBIED attack on the follow- AOG killed four ANBP members, parties to the conflict across the political spec- ing day. set fire to the checkpoint, and trum. Although Warduj-based AOGs have yet abducted 11 other border police Overall, Badakhshan witnessed 11 to gain significant support from other non- members along with one of their security incidents this reporting domestic AOGs, it appears likely that the ac- vehicles. The hostages were re- period—the highest total so far cess route thru the district will see issues over leased unharmed on the 4th of this year—with a noteworthy nine the upcoming weeks until the balance of pow- April. In response, IMF conduct- of them involving AOGs in some er has been settled one way or the other. manner. In fact, the only two that ed an airstrike on the 6th that Of note to the trafficking routes, the neighbor- did not involve AOGs were the killed a prominent AOG leader ing Baharak witnessed the discovery of an IED demonstrations held in Argo upon which the security forces in the Shashpul area. Baharak was the focal against the newly appointed dis- carpeted the district with opera- point of insecurity in 2011, but has been most- trict governor on the 8th and the tional activities that have been th ly quiet thus far in 2012 having witnessed only 9th (it appears the situation there ongoing since the 8 . Although four security incidents so far. has since calmed down, and the the AOG has created significant groups opposing the governor insecurity in Warduj, anecdotal

ACRONYMS: Please see the final page for a list of ANSO-utilized acronyms. THE ANSO REPORT Page 8

NGO Incidents T AKHAR Year to Date 0 TAKHAR This Report Period 0 50 During a month that finally saw 40 rhetoric was used, the attack was the transition ceremony occur on 30 the 3rd after multiple delays, the clearly directed against the man- 20 most significant incident to agement which in turn may sug- NGOs was the attack on a school gest an interpersonal dispute with 10 construction site in Ishkamish the construction company. The 0 District that left a private security district rarely sees significant construction team supervisor AOG or ACG activity which also dead, and an additional two in- makes the current incident an out- TAKHAR AOG TAKHAR Crime jured. While the staff present at lier as to the local relatively be- nign operational environment. hough few actual AOG operations/activities the site worked for a nationally have occurred there. owned private construction com- That being said, anecdotal reports pany (not local to the area), the have surfaced suggesting that Overall, Takhar registered 11 security incidents school project was being overseen AOGs may be using Ishkamish this reporting cycle which remains roughly in by an INGO and funded by an and the southern districts of line with the PRP (13). Besides the attack in IO although there is no strong Takhar Province as transit ways to Ishkamis, other incidents including an IED evidence as to the authors and the other areas. The proximity to the discovery in Taloqan and an escalation be- motives of the attack. While noth- AOG stronghold of Burka tween villagers and the ANP in Chah Ab ing was stolen and no political (Baghlan) is conspicuous, alt- demonstrated little significant trending.

NGO Incidents K UNDUZ Year to Date 0 KUNDUZ 50 This Report Period 0 The security paradigm remained 40 relatively consistent, despite a BBIED attacks causing 74 civilian 30 and six ANP deaths and the cur- BBIED detonation in Kunduz 20 City on the 12th against an influen- rent patterns continue to denote a 10 tial ANP commander that killed significant drop in the level of two and injured three (including insecurity in Kunduz thus far. 0 the commander). The province The breakdown of incidents re-

totalled 15 security incidents this mained relatively consistent with KUNDUZ AOG KUNDUZ Crime period. To put the volumes in the majority of incidents (8) oc- context, the current period com- curring in Kunduz. In terms of note that five incidents in Kunduz district in- bined with the PRP (which wit- tactics, this period witnessed two volved IEDs this cycle alone (two detonations nessed 16 incidents) would still IED detonations, three IED re- and three discoveries). Further of note, alt- account for less than the 34 secu- movals, two armed clashes, and hough both IED detonations were dedicated rity incidents recorded between six IMF/ANP/ANA led opera- to ANP targets, both caused civilian injuries. April 1st and 15th in 2011 when tions, while the PRP saw one IED The district actually tends to witness the largest Kunduz was the focal point of detonation, four IED removals, volume of IED related activity, and that is un- AOG activity. Illustrating this four armed clashes and five IM- likely to change as the activity volumes grow difference, the mentioned BBIED F/ANP/ANA led operations. into the spring. Being the AOG tactical meth- detonation was the first such This demonstrates a negligible od of choice, IED activity represents a tangible strike in Kunduz this year, while variation which further attests to threat which needs to be factored into NGO th by April 15 in 2011, the province the continued low volumes re- movement protocols. had already witnessed four ported thus far. Although, it is of THE ANSO REPORT Page 9

NGO Incidents J AWZJAN Year to Date 1 JAWZJAN This Report Period 0 50 Jawzjan witnessed seven security 40 incidents this cycle including five thored by ANSF (an arrest opera- 30 AOG escalations. These involved tion and an IED discovery). an RCIED detonation on an ANP While the level of insecurity along 20 vehicle and an ANP/AOG clash this road has not yet approached 10 that of 2011 - when there were 11 in Qush Tepa, as well as an AOG 0 illegal checkpoint on the Shibir- AOG attributed incidents be- ghan - Sari Pul road and another tween January 1st and April 15th - JAWZJAN AOG JAWZJAN Crime AOG direct attack on an ANP the road continues to see activity CP, both in Shibirghan district. this year. Five AOG attributed incidents so far in 2012 included in the immediate future remains unclear. The latter incidents are especially two abductions and two illegal While this illustrates some expansion of AOG notable as AOG attributed vio- checkpoints. The fact that the presence, the actual volumes denote a consid- lence has generally been rare in AOG checkpoint occurring this erable decline from the series of 12 incidents Shibirghan. While the Sar-e Pul – cycle was manned by a large AOG that occurred over the same period in 2011. Shibirghan road has seen fairly (12-16 armed men on motorcy- This is further evidenced by the fact that regular AOG activity, most escala- cles) may suggest that the group Jawzjan has only witnessed a total of 44 securi- tions would typically take place on was making a show of their will- ty incidents thus far in 2012 compared to 71 the Sar-e Pul side. In fact, there ingness to gather and operate over the same period last year. Although were only six security incidents in openly, although—with the low Jawzjan has generally seen a similar reduction Shibirghan during the first quarter level of activity thus far—to what in AOG activity to most other Northern Prov- of 2012, with only two of those degree they will be able to in- inces, it appears that AOG activity here may be related to AOG but both au- crease their presence on this road starting to escalate.

NGO Incidents S AR- E PUL Year to Date 0 SAR‐E PUL This Report Period 0 50 th On the 29 of March at approxi- 40 mately 1530 hours, a GOA em- faced of AOG leadership moving 30 ployee working on a daily wage back into the area and the AOG contract for an IO was abducted presence actually became more 20 along with his driver on the Sar-e visible throughout the province. 10 Pul – Shibirghan road. The AOG Nevertheless, there has been a 0 released both victims on the 6th of notable decrease in the level of April without ransom suggesting AOG activity so far this year SAR‐E PUL AOG SAR‐E PUL Crime that the IO medical project two against 2011. abductees were working on enjoys In fact, the other three incidents Sar-e Pul accounting for five. Despite its loca- strong community support as the this cycle all occurred in the usual- tion off the main ring road, the province con- their involvement in the project ly more quiet southern and east- tinues to harbour a significant AOG presence was reportedly instrumental to ern districts, with an IED discov- both in traditional strongholds near the Tri- their release. In general, this road ery in Sozma Qala, an IED deto- Provincial Area (Sayyad) and in Sar-e Pul, has seen significantly less activity nation against an ANP vehicle in which also makes further deterioration likely as than it did the previous year (see Kohistanat, and the AOG taxing the fighting season unfolds. Jawzjan section). While much of locals in Gosfandi. This also con- this is credited to the increased trasts strongly with last year’s se- On the political side, after numerous demon- ANSF presence along the road, in curity paradigm, when the majori- strations in the past, some violent, the provin- truth, the lull could have been as ty of incidents occurred in Sar-e cial governor was officially replaced in early much an expression of AOG lack Pul or Sayyad. To illustrate, over April, ending that source of contention for of initiative during the winter peri- the first half of April 2011, eight time being. od. Recently, reports have sur- security incidents took place with THE ANSO REPORT Page 10

W ESTERN REGION

NGO Incidents H ERAT Year to Date 3 HERAT 50 This Report Period 2 Herat experienced two NGO inci- 40 airport in the vicinity of the Guza- dents this reporting period. In the 30 first, an AOG abducted three de- ra DAC which resulted in the 20 mining NGO national staff mem- death of three ANP and nine ci- bers along with their vehicle while vilians, and caused injuries to an 10 they were traveling to their project additional 56 civilians and another 0 site in Ghoryan. A few days later, ANP. The intended target could have been a high-profile GOA all of them were released separate- HERAT AOG HERAT Crime ly, yet their vehicle remains in cap- official scheduled to travel through the area just prior to the tivity. menistan usually resumes around noon. Dete- time of incident but the plan The second incident took place in rioration of the security situation in Kushk was seems to have been derailed as an Herat City. A handwritten letter likely linked to the increasing AOG presence ANP patrol attempted to appre- was thrown into the residence of in the northern part of Zinda Jan. AOGs hend the vehicle. The strike an INGO national staff member. from the south have traditionally used this marked the first suicide attack The letter did not contain any mountainous area as a transit towards Gulran recorded in Herat province this ideological/political statements or or further inland to Kushk. This cycle, sizea- year. A total of six suicide attacks, grievances against the INGO’s ble non-domestic AOG units collected taxes all aimed at high-profile targets, programming, but demanded from local villagers, sparking the ANSF to had been recorded throughout money, with an abduction threat conduct a sweep operation which also included Herat over the past 2 years, and the authors’ personal hostility air support. A few days later, an AOG abduct- demonstrating that the recent explicitly addressed to a staffer. ed a villager in the same area, transpiring an event is likely to remain an outlier The case was assessed as an intim- on-going AOG interest in shaping local com- to the existing paradigm in Herat. idation effort against the particu- munity support. Nonetheless, the execution of the lar individual and has not been attack including the timing and In the east, an exogenous AOG killed a com- assessed as suggesting any shift in the location highlighted the ele- munity leader in Obe on the usual charges of the operational environment for vated risks of civilian exposure to collusion with GOA. Last year, the activities NGOs in the city. Of note, after such strikes which was clearly un- of AOGs infiltrating from Badghis and Adras- these events, the province has derlined by the massive casualty kan translated into kinetic operations, with totaled three NGO incidents this numbers. IED attacks on ANP convoys featuring promi- year, indicating a gradual increase nently in the portfolio. AOG presence in Obe At the provincial level, AOG in volume when compared to the was also likely linked to an IED attack on a presence became more visible in last two years (one recorded dur- PSC vehicle in the northeast of Karukh, which the northern districts, particularly ing the same period in 2010 and AOGs often use as a passage to migrate into in Kushk. In total, 12 security two in 2011). Over the same peri- Kushk Kuna, another traditional AOG strong- incidents were recorded there od, the volume of AOG incidents hold in the province. has decreased by 26%, while ACG with five initiated by AOGs, ac- In the south, mounting ANSF operations as activity has increased by 40%. It counting for more than 30% of well as ongoing negotiation efforts between is important to note that the rising the total AOG incident volume in GOA authorities and local poppy farmers ap- ACG incident volume along with the province. It is important to pear to have slowed down AOG activity, par- the recent events highlights the note that AOG efforts were main- ticularly in Zer Koh area where the eradication risk for NGOs of being impacted ly destined to ANSF CPs/patrols campaign is currently ongoing. Two out of ten by criminal activity, particularly in and IMF logistic supply convoys security incidents recorded were AOG related, the provincial capital itself. from Turkmenistan. As to the ensuing risks of collateral involve- a drop from four out of 11 during the PRP. The most significant incident re- ment, it is important to note that However, the success of GOA outreach and ported this cycle was a SVBIED the fuel supply traffic from Turk- its sustainability have yet to be seen. detonation along the access to the THE ANSO REPORT Page 11

NGO Incidents G HOR Year to Date 0 GHOR This Report Period 0 50 Conflict dynamics continued to 40 ard AOG insignia. While a possi- gain in intensity in Ghor. In Cha- 30 ghcharan, besides an armed clash bility of genuine AOG involve- 20 over an interpersonal dispute be- ment cannot be ruled out entirely, tween two local AOGs in Bara the possibility exists that the letter 10 Khana area, a threatening letter resulted from an inter-personal 0 was delivered to an NDS employ- issue. Nonetheless, the NGO ee in the provincial capital, where community will be well served GHOR AOG GHOR Crime his two brothers are also currently with keeping an eye on similar employed with an IO and an intimidation efforts should they reappear in the future in order to officer in two separate incidents in a short IGO. The authors of the letter span of time. In the north of Taywara, an misidentified the relatives’ em- re-assess the degree of genuine AOG penetration. armed clash between a local armed group and ployment with the international an AOG was reported, resulting in the death However, the most tangible mani- agencies wrongly as an affiliation of one AOG member. This clash was likely festation of AOG activity became with the PRT. The letter indeed connected to the fact that members of the an- apparent in the southern districts criticized the PRT activity and ti-AOG group had been linked to the killing of threatened to kill the NDS em- of Pasaband and Taywara where a prominent Du Layna IEA cader towards the Helmandi AOG boosted their ployee’s brothers if they do not end of March. The conflict between local presence during the PRP. In Pa- resign from their presumed PRT commanders and the exogenous AOG has saband, AOG intimidation efforts jobs . However, the authenticity become a defining feature of insecurity in this of the letter has been brought into materialized with the abduction of part of the province. question due to its lack of stand- two GOA employees and an ANP

NGO Incidents B ADGHIS Year to Date 0 BADGHIS This Report Period 0 50 AOG activity remained moderate 40 ticipated construction of the un- this reporting cycle, with 10 AOG 30 incidents recorded. Of note, the finished part of the Ring Road in the district. As such, the pro- 20 AOG volumes so far this year 10 remain 27% lower against the active stance of the security forces 0 same period last year. Besides the will most likely remain the defin- winter factor, tangible ing factor into the coming weeks. ANSF/IMF achievements were a Murghab remained the most con- BADGHIS AOG BADGHIS Crime contributing factor. In Ghor- tested terrain with 14 incidents mach, historically an AOG accounting for around 50% of the reportedly rejoined an AOG unit. The post stronghold, AOG activity had overall incident volume in the also faced an AOG assault on a different occa- significantly dropped since several province this cycle. Four were sion. Last year, IMF established a substantial major ANSF/IMF operations initiated by AOGs, including a number of ALP checkpoints in order to secure took place in September 2011. critical incident when an IED det- the Ring Road and the military base in the vi- However, AOG seem to have onated against a GOA convoy en cinity. With the upcoming reduction of IMF - gradually reconstituted since the route from Ghormach to the and the construction of the unfinished part of beginning of last month. This Murghab DAC. The explosion Ring Road, further expansion of ALP and cycle ANA launched another sig- wounded the Murghab District eventually the roll out of Critical Infrastructure nificant operation which resulted Governor, six of his bodyguards, Protection (CIP) are to be expected alongside in the killing 15 AOG members and three ANP. Moreover, two with increased AOG motivations to disrupt including a commander, and ANA/IMF air strikes were rec- both projects. It is reasonable to assume that wounding three others. orded, causing five AOG casual- the conflict will become localized around these ANA/IMF efforts at maintaining ties. units unless local deals secure an accommoda- the gains achieved last fall are to In Qadis, four ALP abandoned tion of interests on both sides. be understood in light of the an- their post in Dara-e Boom and THE ANSO REPORT Page 12

NGO Incidents F ARAH Year to Date 0 FARAH 50 This Report Period 0 Farah remained the most kinetic 40 part in the Western Region in along the Herat - Kandahar road. 30 Out of the seven AOG incidents terms of AOG activity. AOG 20 violence continued to be concen- there, three directly targeted sup- trated in the eastern districts, ply convoys, causing the destruc- 10 which accounted for more than tion of seven fuel tankers. It is 0 75% of its overall volume. In notable that seven of ten security Bala Buluk, the ongoing ANSF incidents were related to the use poppy eradication campaign and of IEDs, with three effective det- FARAH AOG FARAH Crime increased ANSF presence during onations. In light of the on-going and reportedly abducted several others. The the winter met head on with poppy eradication efforts in Bala village is located at a strategic location close to AOGs gaining momentum ahead Buluk, it is likely that AOG have the ANA military base in Pusht Rod, and of the fighting season. The dis- shifted substantial numbers of AOG often use this area to access Pusht Rod trict recorded five AOG incidents local fighters towards the former and Farah City from Bala Buluk. On the 7th of in total with four of them in Shi- district while reorienting local April, the corpse of an ALP was discovered wan and Kal Qala areas where IED experts to focus on the dis- near the base, and the next day, the same ALP major poppy fields are located. ruption of IMF military logistic post faced another AOG assault. In fact, the ANSF eradication teams faced supplies. In Gulistan, despite sev- previous leader of local ALP units used to be various coordinated attacks in eral intensive clashes between an AOG commander in the south of Farah different locations, at times car- AOG and ANSF/IMF during the district who had been relocated to the village ried out by sizeable AOG units. PRP, AOG initiated activity was just two months after he had joined the APRP The fighting resulted in the death also absent this period, likely for in spite of local opposition. In the first inci- of seven AOG members and inju- the same reason as in Bakwa. dent, some of the ALP victims were beheaded ries to one AEF, three ANP, and Meanwhile, ANP/IMF arrested which indicates that the attack was also meant two ANA soldiers. It is important 11 AOG suspects around the IMF to deter the community from engaging in the to note that poppy cultivation is military base during a sweep oper- program. This is further supported by the AOG’s financial lifeline in the ation. fact that the attack came shortly after GOA province, and the higher intensity In the central districts, there were announcements on the anticipated ALP roll- of conflict engagements linked to four security incidents in total, out in Bala Buluk, Bakwa, and Gulistan. As the eradication campaign in Bala three of which were related to the program expands, it is likely that AOGs Buluk will certainly prolong into ALP. On the 5th of April, an will shift their efforts to the local ALP recruits, the next cycle. AOG entered an ALP post in a feature that has a potential to feed into local Renji village, killed 8 ALP mem- In Bakwa, AOG continued to tribal conflicts. focus on military logistic supplies bers, including the commander,

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ANSO: “..by NGOs for NGOs..” THE ANSO REPORT Page 13

E ASTERN REGION

NGO Incidents N ANGARHAR Year to Date 7 NANGARHAR This Report Period 2 50 Nangarhar was home to two 40 NGO incidents this period, one in and the PRT on the 15th of April which featured the involvement of 30 Lal Pur and the other in Dara-I- 20 Nur. In the former, during a 4 suicide operatives in each loca- 10 clash along the border between tion, with the PRT attack also Pakistani AOG fighters and the initiating with a SVBIED detona- 0 ANBP, an NGO ambulance was tion. The two strikes were a com- ponent of the unprecedented se- called in to remove injured ANBP NANGARHAR AOG NANGARHAR Crime personnel; when it arrived at the ries of coordinated assaults in four scene it came under small arms major urban centers in the East and in the Central Region, and activity. IEDs struck ANSF vehicles on eradi- fire, sustaining some damage to cation duties in Nazyan and Achin, causing the windows and the metalwork, marked the first deployment of suicide vectors into Jalalabad since some injuries, while the Spin Ghar district gov- and crashing into a ditch before ernor’s vehicle was also hit by an IED in Shin- escaping the scene. This incident the single BBIED detonation on Pashtunistan Square in the begin- war as he was returning from monitoring the is important for indicating the campaign there. The blast injured three of his degree of exposure linked to ning of March. Besides a higher number of ANSF-IMF casualties ANP guards. In Nazyan too, AOG also car- NGO interventions during active ried out a direct assault with a large number of conflict engagements. including one Afghan security guard killed and 17 IMF injured, AOG fighters engaging the ANBP base in In the second incident, an armed rd the military impact of these at- Morchal on the 3 , the furthest north AOG group forced their way into an tacks remained limited. This ventured for a daytime attack any recently; NGO clinic in Dara-I-Nur during changed little to the fact that IMF air assets were flown in for support, and the night, and having tied up the AOG’s demonstration of force in the fighting just one ANBP officer was in- guards and duty driver, stole eight achieved success in attracting a jured. In Khogyani, where several drug facto- solar panels from the roof. This significant media coverage. ries were destroyed, IED incidents impacted incident was likely motivated the civilians rather than security forces; while purely by profit, even if it may Elsewhere in the province, con- AOG fighters also staged a direct SAF attack have involved some connections flict developments intensified in on a poppy eradication team in Ahmad Khel, to local armed opposition, and Bati Kot where three IEDs deto- injuring one ANP officer and a civilian in the points to the importance of secur- nated against security convoys, exchange of fire. More generally, in all of the- ing valuable assets in field sites. including one hitting an IMF vehi- se southern districts that border on the Spin cle in Chardy, another an ANP In the wider security picture, the Ghar Mountains, the armed opposition has vehicle in Farm-e 4 injuring three remarkable calm that Jalalabad been slowly and quietly expanding its presence police members, and the last de- city had witnessed during the large in the past months, seemingly having learned vice again along Jalalabad- majority of this period – with only their lessons from the failures of last year’s Torkham road in Farm-e 4 two IEDs controlled detonated in overly brazen campaign. NGOs can expect a wounding two ANA and two ci- Zones 4, 5 and an IED detona- steady increase in conflict engagements which vilians. tion in Zone 3 against a local shop will likely continue to draw on local resent- – has been broken by simultane- Poppy eradication continued in ment at eradication campaigns in the coming ous AOG complex attacks target- the south, and attracted a consid- weeks. ing the Jalalabad Airfield (JAF) erable proportion of AOG kinetic THE ANSO REPORT Page 14

NGO Incidents AKTYA Year to Date 1 PAKTYA P 50 This Report Period 0 After a bitterly cold winter which 40 translated into an almost complete fatalities. In Jaji, an IED struck 30 absence of any AOG kinetic activ- an ANP vehicle in Kharmana, on 20 the 1st, killing two policemen and ity, early April announced the re- 10 turn of an active AOG presence. injuring two more, while in the 0 In the series of AOG complex latter district, another device im- attacks in the afternoon on the pacted a civilian vehicle en route 15th Gardez city experienced its from Ghazni to Ibrahimkhel. share with a protracted assault of Three civilians including a female PAKTYA AOG PAKTYA Crime the ANP HQ and the Police and a child were killed on the Training Center. AOG operatives spot, and two others received in- The remainder of the reported incidents con- occupied a tall building adjacent juries. Another IED strike on an sisted of joint IMF/ANSF operations. Multi- to their targets from where they IMF vehicle in Murad Khel of ple operations in Zurmat secured the arrests of targeted the premises with RPGs Zurmat injured two IMF soldiers seven AOG fighters, while in Sayid Karam, a and SAF. The fire fight conclud- and their national interpreter. joint operation seized two trucks transporting ed in the early evening with the AOG activities manifested them- explosive materials. death of all three AOG opera- selves further with a short SAF During this cycle, GOA officials involved in tives. Three civilians also per- attack on a joint patrol in Shwak’s the transition process reiterated that Paktya ished during the attack, while an Sato Kandow area, some days was ready to be handed over to ANSF. Alt- additional three ANP and 25 civil- after another joint patrol had dis- hough it is true that Paktya has seen a compar- ians, mostly students from a dor- covered and defused three IEDs atively less intense conflict when compared to mitory nearby, sustained injuries. placed on the Gardez-Khost high- all of its neighbouring provinces over the last way in the same area while a mor- Besides the complex attack, IED two years, the level of AOG penetration re- tar round, fired at an unknown deployment came to the fore this mains high. In line with the seasonal trends target in Zurmat’s Mamozai, land- period. Most significant were two and disregarding the transition process, we can ed in a local village and injured IED incidents in Jaji and in Zur- expect AOG operational tempo to substantial- three children. mat, both of which led to multiple ly increase through the coming months.

NGO Incidents N URISTAN Year to Date 0 NURISTAN 50 This Report Period 0 Eastern Nuristan continued to be 40 the epicenter of security develop- this period, a large number of Af- 30 ments with incidents concentrated ghan and Pakistani AOG cadres 20 in the DACs of Kamdesh and were encroaching around the 10 Bargi Matal. In the former, fur- DAC having captured some of the 0 ther clashes took place between more outlying ALP CPs. To the armed opposition and the pro- counter the imminent threat of GOA militias of a reconciled HIG AOG taking over the DAC, commander which also included ANSF began a clearing operation NURISTAN AOG NURISTAN Crime an AOG attack on the ANP HQ on the 12th targeting AOGs posi- on the 8th. Local reports reiterat- tions in Lal Kellay, Bar Kellay and DAC of Bargi Matal by AOG cadres in previ- ed that shortly after the AOG Paparistan Kellay. As of the writ- ous weeks, a number of senior GOA officials th attack, the reconciled HIG coming of this report, the operation from Kabul visited the district center on the 4 mander initiated talks with local was still on-going, with the pre- of April to assess the situation. Later into the AOG cadres about a ceasefire – liminary casualty numbers includ- period, AOG fighters attacked a number of th or more accurately, a return to the ing up to 30 AOG fighters and ANBP CPs near the DAC on the 10 , but be- previous status quo. However, it four civilians killed. yond that, the district remained quiet, likely seemed that no arrangements benefitting from the AOG focus on its south- Following the spate of IDF and ern neighbour, Kamdesh. were found as towards the end of direct attacks launched against the THE ANSO REPORT Page 15

NGO Incidents L AGHMAN Year to Date 2 LAGHMAN 50 This Report Period 1 As with the last period, Laghman 40 witnessed one direct NGO inci- struck a motorcycle ridden by the 30 Deputy District Governor and dent, again taking the form of 20 collateral involvement in an AOG another civilian, killing the official 10 indirect fire on government facili- and injuring his co-traveller. ties, this time in Dawlat Shah. In Alingar, the period saw yet an- 0 During the attack which took other IED strike against an IMF place on the 1st of April, AOG vehicle, demonstrating the contin- fighters fired a number of rockets ued effectiveness of IED cells LAGHMAN AOG LAGHMAN Crime operating in that district. While at the DAC during the night one attacked an ANP CP in the Kheirokhel area at Mehtarlam was quieter than the of which landed on the roof of an around 1600 hrs, then at the end of the period previous period, there was a nota- NGO clinic and caused a moder- an IED detonated at around 0800 hrs against ate structural damage and some ble targeted killing of three locals an ANA vehicle in Mashala Kamara area, in- in the Maidani area towards Alin- property loss. Two days after this juring one ANA soldier. The timing of these gar, although it remains unclear if incident, moreover, Dawlat Shah escalations reinforces the standing ANSO ad- it was personal or political in na- saw a further continuation of sig- visory to implement road missions between nificant AOG kinetic events when ture. An AOG direct attack on an Kabul and Jalalabad preferably within the ANA convoy in Shah Gelyan area an IED struck an ANA vehicle in 0900-1600 hrs time window. After the quiet completed the picture. the Malangan area, killing two winter, AOG cadres are seemingly returning soldiers and injuring two local In Qarghayi, the first incidents in into the popular staging areas along the artery children as they were passing. more than two months were rec- although the attack volumes remain signifi- IED emplacement in Dawlat Shah orded along the Kabul-Jalalabad cantly below the levels of the last year. came to the fore again on the 11th Highway. At first, AOG fighters when another roadside device

NGO Incidents K HOST Year to Date 5 KHOST This Report Period 1 100 This reporting period, Khost was 80 sans, after the February 28th IED home to one NGO incident, in 60 that heavily damaged an NGO the form of the robbery of a local 40 clinic in the Zambar area of the vehicle being used by an NGO to 20 transport medical supplies district. 0 through the highly insecure Sabari Another serious event took place into Bak and Jaji Maydan districts. during the period in neighbouring In what is likely to have been a Tere Zayi, when an IED struck an KHOST AOG KHOST Crime criminally-motivated incident – IMF vehicle, killing five IMF ser- although potentially connected to vice members. This was only the incidents led to ANP injuries, such as in the armed opposition in some way most deadly of a number of fatal Sabari’s Khoni Khwar, and in Khost district’s – the driver of the vehicle was IED strikes across the province Ghor Mayi area. In all therefore, these inci- confronted at gunpoint by masked during the period. Again in Saba- dents amounted to an unusually high strike- men in the Khalbesat area, and ri, in Mutkhel village on the morn- rate for the province’s armed opposition, with nd then tied to a tree while the gun- ing of the 2 , a VBIED detonat- only one IED reported, in Bak’s DAC area, men made off with the vehicle. ed outside the home of an ANA which did not lead to casualties. Sabari is one of the most AOG- soldier, killing two soldiers and dominated and conflict-afflicted levelling the house. In Shamal’s In contrast, Khost city hosted only a small districts in the region, and this is Borgai area, a PSC vehicle convoy number of incidents, with the most notable the second time this year that was hit by an IED, killing three being a grenade thrown into the house of a NGO medical work in Sabari has guards and injuring another. An tribal elder from Mando Zayi located near the been affected by conflict parti- additional number of other IED education department offices. THE ANSO REPORT Page 16

NGO Incidents K UNAR Year to Date 0 KUNAR 100 This Report Period 0 There were no NGO incidents in 80 Kunar during the period, but oth- quickly exiting IMF that the IEA 60 er significant incidents were wor- in Kunar remains hostile and op- 40 thy of note. In a bad sign for po- posed to any peace settlement, 20 litical efforts to soften the prov- and that the new leadership is 0 ince’s intense conflict, the head of firmly in place. Moreover, the the Peace and Reintegration factional identity of the deceased Council, Mawlawi Mahmad Ha- cleric, who was formerly a HIG KUNAR AOG KUNAR Crime shem Munib was killed in a target- commander, likely played a role. ed suicide bombing by an AOG After having become the head of Elsewhere in the province, a particularly fierce operative in the Wata Pur DAC the Council, the official was suc- clash took place in Nari district, when Paki- area on the 6th, as he was walking cessful in bringing a number of stani AOG fighters ambushed an ANBP ob- from a mosque to his home after HIG cadres to the side of the servation point in the Saw Khwar area on the Friday prayer. As with the attack government, which is likely to 2nd of April. In the fighting, eight AOG fight- that killed the High Peace Council have been interpreted as a threat ers and four ANBP were killed, with a further head in Kabul in September 2011, to Kunar’s IEA structures, partic- four ANBP injured and four AOG fighters the AOG operative triggered a ularly as ALP are rapidly expand- arrested. That was by far the most serious of device hidden in his turban as he ing across the province. In addi- the various kinetic events recorded during the was hugging the official. tion, the suicide bombing came just five days after two other two weeks and likely more connected to the This incident is thought to have BBIED operatives, reportedly dynamics in eastern Nuristan, where Pakistani been the work of the IEA, and aiming to target IMF or ALP fa- AOGs are substantially increasing their pres- although precise reasons for the cilities, were detained in Khas ence. Other notable incidents included an assassination remain unclear, Kunar by ANSF. The two de- armed attack on the Chapa Dara ANP HQ, some factors are worth exploring. tained attackers were likely to which remains the only real GOA presence in First of all, it comes after a period have also belonged to the same the district and an RCIED detonation against of instability in Kunar’s IEA lead- IEA network and were being an ANP CP in Asadabad’s Palosah area, which ership, as previously reported, commanded from Chawkay ac- injured two policemen. which led to a lower level of inse- cording to local reports. The two Finally, ANA seized 42 bags of fertiliser in- curity in recent weeks as the IEA incidents combined point to the tended for IED production in Asadabad’s Shadow Provincial Governor was potential for a further increase in Zore Bazaar, with the material hidden in the coerced to vacate his post in fa- the use of suicide vectors by the back of a truck; it is yet to be seen whether vour of a commander from IEA in Kunar, in spite of a previ- such a big haul impacts AOG IED capability Khost. As such, this attack may ous opposition to the use of this in key battlegrounds in the short-term. have also been about sending a tactic by many elements of the signal to the government and the province’s armed opposition. THE ANSO REPORT Page 17

S OUTHERN REGION

NGO Incidents KANDAHAR K ANDAHAR Year to Date 1 100 This Report Period 0 80 Kandahar incident levels continue 60 their upward trend, and this re- In total, direct AOG attacks oc- port period features over 50 inci- curred nine times. The most sig- 40 dents of all varieties. As in the nificant of these included an at- 20 previous period, ANSF units have tack on an ALP post in Arghistan 0 apparently concentrated on the district as a large AOG force at- discovery and disposal of numer- tacked with heavy weapons, killing ous caches within the province, six ALP recruits and wounding KANDAHAR AOG KANDAHAR Crime intending to blunt the ability of another three. Another significant incident took place in Khoni AOG to re-supply their local of Sarlohan, an IED hit an ANBP vehicle, kill- fighters. Manda area of Panjwayi district, when AOG attacked an IMF- ing two ANBP officers and wounding three Meanwhile, AEF units were ac- contracted fuel tanker with SAF, others. Lastly, in Kandahar City’s District 4, tive, primarily in Maywand and killing the driver and causing the an RCIED hit an ANA vehicle, killing an Zhari, albeit at a much lower level tanker to collide with a passing ANA officer and wounding three others. than that of their colleagues in civilian mini-bus. As a result, sev- Targeted killings continued to dominate Kan- Helmand province, as Kandahar en civilian passengers of the bus dahar City, with Districts 6, 9 and 10 all host- can boast only a fraction of the were killed and another three were ing serious incidents. An AOG gunman riding opium production of its neighbor severely wounded. In another on a motorcycle fired at ANP officers at their to the west. Interestingly, the lim- tanker-related incident on the post in the Semano Pool area of District 9, ited eradication efforts that were same day, IEDs attached to a killing two ANP officers and wounding anoth- attempted in Kandahar appeared parked IMF-contracted tanker er one. Two days later, in the same area, an to be more fiercely resisted by near the Kandahar Airfield deto- AOG gunman riding on a motorcycle once AOG, illustrating the crop’s im- nated, killing four civilian drivers again opened fire on ANP officers, resulting in portance to area AOG finances. and wounding four others. The another two ANP officers killed, and an ANP In Maywand district’s Band-e- explosion also caused the destruc- officer and a civilian child wounded. A third Temor village, AOG attacked tion of another six fuel tankers as assassination in the Semano Pool area occurred AEF units with heavy weapons they caught fire nearby. on the 11th when an AOG gunman on a mo- and SAF for 30 minutes, resulting IEDs strikes were down marginal- torcycle killed a civilian male, for reasons that in three AOG members killed. In are still being determined. The City’s District Dand district, ANA/ANP arrest- ly however the attacks that occurred did appear to claim more 6 also witness multiple killings as two ANP ed three suspected AOG mem- officers were shot dead in separate incidents by bers and a sizable quantity of ex- lives than usual. A total of eight separate blasts accounted for 13 AOG gunmen using the common tactics as in plosives as they approached a the other killings – one or two AOG riding on poppy field scheduled for eradica- ANSF deaths, with the most serious incident coming on the 10th of a motorcycle, firing several quick shots at their tion near the areas of Yaro Qala target before escaping. This pattern was also and Temor Karez. Lastly, an IO April in the village of Kajoor in Shah Wali Kot district where an followed in the final two incidents which oc- civilian contractor conducting a curred in District 10, resulting in the deaths of survey of poppy fields was hit and IED hit an ANP vehicle, killing four ANP officers and wounding an additional three ANP officers over the re- killed by a newly-laid IED near port period. the village of Nadi Dasht in Zhari other two. On the same day, in district. Shorabak district, near the village THE ANSO REPORT Page 18

NGO Incidents H ELMAND Year to Date 0 HELMAND This Report Period 0 100 Helmand incident levels rose 80 sharply, however the majority of tackers could indicate a renewed 60 the increase was due to AEF ac- interest amongst AOG in disrupt- tivity, as more than 50 separate ing the district administration. 40 eradication operations were re- As mentioned, AEF activity ap- 20 ported over the past two weeks. pears to be in full swing. In con- 0 AOG provided some limited re- trast to the last report period, sistance, engaging eradication where AOG appeared to offer teams on several occasions. only a half-hearted resistance to HELMAND AOG HELMAND Crime Among the remaining incidents AEF efforts, the opposition initi- AEF as poppy eradication season hits its were several high-profile attacks ated seven separate attacks on stride. on ANSF, including another in- AEF personnel, five taking place stance of apparent AOG infiltra- in Marja district and the other two Several other AOG attacks in the province tion into their ranks. in Nahri Sarraj district. The larg- deserve notice. On the 7th of April, AOG gunmen in Lashkar Gah shot and killed the direc- The most ambitious attack was a est of these occurred near the vil- tor of the Water and Irrigation Department for multi-phased suicide attack in Mu- lage of Siphon in Marja as a siza- Helmand, resuming a campaign of targeted sa Qala which took place on the ble force of AOG, estimated at 20 killing of provincial officials which had been 10th. The attack began as three – 25 fighters, engaged with AEF dormant for the last few report periods. On BBIED operatives attempted to personnel at a poppy field for the 2nd, a large group of AOG fighters attacked enter the DAC. When challenged over one hour. ANP reinforce- an ANP post in the area known as Panjwa by ANP, one of the suicide ments were brought in and even- Qala in Nahri Sarraj with heavy weapons and bombers managed to detonate his tually repelled the attack, but not SAF, resulting in seven ANP officers and one device, and the explosion killed before killing 10 AOG members AOG member killed, and three ANP officers four ANP officers and seriously and wounding another four. Two and three AOG members wounded. The next wounded five others, including AEF were seriously wounded in evening, at another ANP post in the same area, Musa Qala’s Chief of Police. The the clash. AOG response to the five ANP officers and two civilians were poi- other two suicide bombers were eradication programs appear to soned by three of their colleagues, who fled shot and killed before detonating indicate that Marja remains key with a large collection of weapons, equipment their explosive vests. Approxi- ground for AOG, both in terms and vehicles. This is the latest example of mately 45 minutes after the initial of their substantial presence, and AOG successfully infiltrating ANSF, which attack, a suicide bomber riding on also in terms of the financial sup- appears to be increasingly widespread and a motorcycle detonated his device port derived from poppy cultiva- could turn out to be a significant tactic in the while an ALP vehicle was heading tion. Of note, AEF personnel upcoming months of conflict. towards the site. As a result of were also involved in a less lauda- this explosion, three ALP officers ble incident when an AEF unit Lastly, a roadside mine detonated against a were killed while four ALP mem- attacked a group of ANP officers civilian vehicle driving to a wedding, killing bers and two civilians were on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah two children and wounding another six pas- wounded. This is the first attack City. A total of 15 officers from sengers in Garmser district. Outraged at this involving BBIEDs for the district both groups were wounded, some attack, family members and other townspeo- in over two years, and despite the seriously, along with a civilian ple assaulted a local man known to have links high level of incidents in the area, male who was caught in the cross- with AOG and said to be an IED expert, even- the DAC used to be surprisingly fire. The cause of this clash was tually cutting off his ears and detaining him for quiet with only three incidents not plausibly established, however several days. As expected, AOG spokesmen recorded for all of 2011. The out- local accounts point to a building have denied responsibility for this incident, of-norm mobilization effort in- rivalry between the two groups, citing likely local feuds as the source. volving a total of four suicide at- exacerbated by the large influx of THE ANSO REPORT Page 19

NGO Incidents U RUZGAN Year to Date 0 URUZGAN This Report Period 0 50 IEDs strikes dominated the secu- 40 rity profile in Uruzgan province, ians and wounding another in while IMF/ANSF operations ap- Dihrawud district’s Barik area. 30 peared to be at a lower tempo, The other ten IED incidents did 20 accounting for only four incidents not involve any significant casual- 10 ties. in total throughout the province. 0 IED strikes occurred 14 times in Direct attacks by AOG were rare st the province. On the 1 of April, during this report period. AOG URUZGAN AOG URUZGAN Crime in the Nachin area of Tirin Kot attacked an ANP post in the Kishi City, a roadside IED hit an ANP area of Charchino district with man in the Paynawa area of Tirin Kot. Two vehicle, killing one ANP officer heavy weapons and SAF; the re- days later, two AOG members on a motorcy- and destroying the vehicle. On sulting clash causing four AOG cle shot and killed an ANP officer in the main the same day, also in Tirin Kot casualties including a fatality. An- bazaar of Dihrawud district. Lastly, the PRT City, an IED struck an ANP foot other larger clash took place in came under mortar fire on two occasions over patrol, injuring one ANP officer Dihrawud district as IMF units, the last two weeks, as two 82mm mortar as well as a nearby child. Civilians working with NDS officers en- rounds were directed at the compound on the continued to be plagued by IEDs gaged with an AOG force outside 2nd and on the 7th of April. In both instances as another strike several days later of the village of China, resulting in the rounds fell harmlessly in open areas adja- in Tirin Kot district in the area of four AOG members and one cent to the complex. As with many indirect Sari Khum Manda severely NDS officer killed, and three IMF fire attacks in the south provinces, it appears wounded three civilians on foot soldiers wounded. The remaining that AOG have access to indirect fire weapons who set off a roadside device. attacks were in the form of target- systems but do not possess the requisite train- One day later, another roadside ed killings. An ALP recruit was ing to ensure their effective use. IED detonated, killing two civil- shot and killed by an AOG gun-

NGO Incidents Z ABUL Year to Date 0 ZABUL 50 This Report Period 0 Zabul province’s incidents levels 40 remained approximately the same a boy was injured by a roadside 30 IED in the village of Kakarano in as last report period, with ANSF 20 Qalat district and the second, in operations comprising the majori- 10 ty of events. ANSF in Qalat which a RCIED positioned on a Shahjoy and Shinkay discovered tree struck against a passing ANP 0 and disposed of a total of 13 vehicle northeast of Qalat City, slightly damaging it but creating IEDs, with the largest haul being ZABUL AOG ZABUL Crime reported at the village of Musazai, no casualties amongst the four ANP passengers. Shahjoy district, where 10 recent- ANA compound with SAF, but retreated ly-laid IEDs were control- Direct attacks were also rare dur- quickly after the initial engagement and no detonated by ANP officers. In ing the report period. AOG at- casualties were reported. Lastly, in the Hazari Qalat district, an ANP patrol lo- tacked an ANP patrol near the area of Qalat district two AOG members rid- cated four IEDs that were placed village of Bakarzo in Qalat district ing on a motorcycle shot and killed a tribal under culverts on the main high- with SAF, however additional elder of neighbouring Shamulzayi district. way between Zafar Khel and Spi- ANP units responded and arrest- na Ghabarga villages, northeast of ed three AOG members, and The most serious incident however occurred Qalat City. An IMF EOD team seized an assortment of ammuni- near the Ahkwand Sahib Shrine in Tarnak wa was summoned and control- tion, one AT mine and two mo- Jaldak district when an IMF armoured vehicle detonated the devices. IED torcycles. On the outskirts of the collided with a 303 civilian bus, killing four of strikes were rare, with only two village of Shah Hassan Khel in the passengers and wounding 35 others, some such incidents – the first, in which Shahjoy district AOG attacked an with serious injuries. THE ANSO REPORT Page 20

NGO Incidents AKTIKA Year to Date 0 PAKTIKA P 100 This Report Period 0 Paktika province, along with 80 Zabul province, is somewhat of killing three AOG members. 60 an outlier this report period in Three days later, another AOG 40 that it has not experienced an in- ambush, this time of a joint IM- 20 crease in security incidents. With F/ANA patrol, ended in the 0 almost 30 incidents the province deaths of another three AOG cannot be described as quiet, but members in addition to the sei- the incident levels and profile zure of several motorcycles in the PAKTIKA AOG PAKTIKA Crime have remained the same as previ- same area. ous periods. Adding to these deaths was the sparked a succession battle in the area. Indirect AOG attacks, using rock- report of a clash between two rival AOG units in the DAC of IEDs featured in seven incidents, including the ets and mortars occurred a total of deaths of three civilians walking in Gul Shah six times, primarily targeting Wor Mamay district; fighters ex- changed SAF for almost 10 Khel village of Urgun district as a result of a DACs. Such strikes took place in roadside IED. Two more civilians – children the districts of Gomal, Barmal minutes and this resulted in at least two AOG killed and another playing – were killed near the DAC of Nika and on four instances in Gayan. district as a ‘legacy’ explosive – an AP mine or No casualties were reported in three wounded. The reason for this clash, which is extremely rare other long-placed device – detonated when relation to any of these attacks. they handled it. Sadly, three days later another Direct attacks, however, resulted (or at the very least, seldom reported), is not known at this time, IED – this was judged to be newly-laid – killed in a number of AOG deaths, as another two children in same area. ANSF ANSF successfully repelled a pa- but a review of incidents since the start of the year has not revealed units discovered and disposed of five IEDs in trol ambush near the village of three separate operations near the DACs of Goshta in Waza Khwa district, the deaths of any AOG commanders whose removal may have Dila, Yani Khel and Ziruk.

NGO Incidents G HAZNI Year to Date 0 GHAZNI This Report Period 0 50 Incident levels continue to rise, 40 primarily as AOG in the province Direct attacks occurred a total of 30 are markedly more active and 19 times, with the majority of the- IMF/ANSF operations take on a se being short engagements with 20 higher tempo to combat this ANP posts which usually broke 10 off after an initial exchange of trend. Beyond the numerical in- 0 crease, however, the incident pro- SAF. This tactic is the norm for local AOG designed to keep pres- file remained much the same as in GHAZNI AOG GHAZNI Crime previous reports, with a variety of sure on ANSF units while limiting losses within their own ranks. direct and indirect attacks target- sizable AOG unit just outside of the Muqur ing patrols, check posts and most However, longer engagements do occur and two such clashes took district DAC, killing 12 AOG members and prominently DACs. The opera- wounding another eight. In this clash three tions conducted by IMF/ANSF place during the report period in the DAC of Muqur, several days ANA soldiers were reported to have been units resulted in some significant wounded. results against AOG, including the apart. In the first incident, AOG deaths of several local command- attacked an ANA patrol with The last significant incident occurred in Ab ers, however a quick review of SAF, resulting in a firefight that band district, near the village of Towda China, past instances where local com- lasted 15 minutes and the deaths when a civilian car collided with a PSC vehicle, manders in Ghazni were taken out of three AOG members, includ- killing five civilians and wounding the rest of did not appear to cause a drop in ing their local commander. Three the occupants. None of the PSCs were report- subsequent AOG activity in the days later, a joint force of IM- ed to have been injured. immediate areas. F/ANA soldiers engaged with a Contact List Dr. Dr. -0700Mohibullah- [email protected] 492550 -0796 [email protected] 688 416 Dimitroff Peter SOUTH REGION OFFICE (KANDAHAR) - 077Naseer [email protected] 2546 242 Rory [email protected] 362 EAST REGION OFFICE (JALALABAD) -0799408252 [email protected] Firoz Brian Laguardia-north.afg@ NORTH REGIONOFFICE(MAZAR) Patrick Malach - [email protected] -0793Patrick [email protected] 230118 - [email protected] 0797 093073 Camille Tomas [email protected] -0797165 017 Ronaldson-director.af Nathan COUNTRY MANAGEMENT (KABUL) -0799322 [email protected] 116 Mukhtar -0799Vacant- [email protected] 323 792 CENTRAL REGIONOFFICE (KABUL) Sayed Karim- west2.afg@ Taro Yamagata - [email protected] -0799 322192 WEST REGION OFFICE (HERAT) of Afghanistan(Taliban)/ Explosive Device/ APRP porting Period/ Improvised Explosive Device/ Body BorneImprovised ExplosiveDevice/ Afghan National Police / ACG -Armed Criminal Group/ Criminal -Armed - Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program / Program AfghanPeaceandReintegration - PSC PDO -Private Security Company / SecurityCompany -Private -Private Development Organisation / AOG ngosafety.org -0707 ngosafety.org 474 135 PSG gsft.r 794467 -0799ngosafety.org 404617 AEF -Armed OppositionGroup/ [email protected] [email protected] - 0799325349 -Provincial Shadow Governor (IEA) / (IEA) Governor Shadow -Provincial IMF -Afghan EradicationForces / -Afghan -International Military / Forces DC -District Centre/ -District RPG CIP -Rocket Propelled Grenade / -Rocket Propelled Grenade -Critical Infrastructure Protection APPF COMMON ACRONYMS ALP -Afghan PublicProtectionForce ANA GOA -Afghan LocalPolice/ -Afghan

NDS INFO + -Afghan National Army / DSG -Government ofAfghanistan/ -National Directorate of Security (Intelligence) / (Intelligence) DirectorateofSecurity -National -District Shadow Governor / Shadow (IEA) -District This reportwillbearchivedattheaboveaddress approximately 60daysafte permissible onlywithprior permission.Please of thereportfornon-commercialpurposesis ANSO is overseen byan NGO Advisory Board. If youhave any NGO can register uptofive persons to each of ANSO mailing These areas will be included in subsequent reports. If you have any any youhave If reports. subsequent in included be will areas These information that would help us better understand the dynamics, dynamics, the understand us better would help that information FARAH HERAT questions orfeedback, good ANSO

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