DIRECT FIRE ANP Other 15 ANP KIA

BODYGUARDS ASSIGNED TO PROTECT ZABOL PROVINCE GOVERNOR KILLED BY TALIBAN MILITIA DURING AMBUSH: AS MANY AS 15 BODYGUARDS ASSIGNED TO PROTECT ZABOL PROVINCE GOVERNOR MOHAMMAD HOSAYNI KHIAL WERE KILLED ON 3 MAY 2004 IN AN AMBUSH IN SHAJOY (3231N 06725E). GOVERNOR KHIAL, WHO WAS TRAVELING IN A SEPARATE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIS BODYGUARDS, WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE ATTACK. IN ADDITION TO KILLING THE BODYGUARDS, THE ATTACKERS MANAGED TO STEAL A VEHICLE. CTF BRONCO DISE ANALYST COMMENT: BY ATTACKING AND ATTEMPTING TO KIDNAP MEMBERS OF THE ATA, THE TALIBAN, PARTICULARLY ROZI KHAN, WHO IS THE TALIBAN SUB-COMMANDER FOR THE ZABOL DISTRICT, WOULD BE ABLE TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE TO NOT SUPPORT THE ATA. HE HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE EXTREMELY VIGOROUS IN HIS ATTEMPTS TO KIDNAP ATA MEMBERS OR ANYBODY WHO SUPPORTS IT. BY INSTILLING FEAR IN THE PEOPLE AROUND THE TOWNS IN WHICH HE OPERATES HE CREATES A SAFE HAVEN FOR HIMSELF AND HIS ASSOCIATES. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IN ORDER TO CONDUCT ATTACKS IN THE COMING MONTHS.