AFGHANISTAN SITUATION REPORT

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
15
Document Creation Date: 
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date: 
April 27, 2010
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
November 5, 1985
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8.pdf622.7 KB
Body: 
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 D(1CNo QCR MS' ....& . &PD C. Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Directorate of Top Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Afghanistan Situation Report 79-81 IMC/CB Top Sen et NESA M 85-10218JX V 5 November 1985 Copy 0 81 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8 Soviet forces carried out sweep operations near Herat and were also active in other provinces, probably in attempts to clear insurgents from strategic areas before winter arrives. cal compound in Jalalabad indicates either an outbreak of disease or heavy casualties from recent fighting. 1 25X1 Heavy fighting occurred throughout the month in Kabul as the Soviets attempted to disrupt resistance control in several strategic areas-~ --and the insurgents continued to pressure the Soviet and regime forces in Herat, Qandahar, Kabul, and other places. 25X1 25X1 25X1 5 November 1985 NESA N 85-10218JX 25X1 SOVA N 85-10195JX Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 ' This document is prepared weekly by the Office of Near Eastern and South Asian Analysis and the Office of Soviet Analysis. Questions or comments on the issues raised in the publication should be directed to PUBLICATION NOTE Unless major developments warrant otherwise, we will not publish the AFGHANISTAN SITUATION REPORT next week. The next report will appear on 19 November 1985. 25X1 5 November 1985 NESA M 85-10218JX 25X1 SOVA M 85-10195JX Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 that major elements ot two motorized rifle regiments subordinate to the 5th Guards Motorized Rifle Division conducted combat sweeps in the Herat area last week. Air units based at Shindand Airbase supported the operations, which began about 22 October, ~ Some unit 25X1:1 25X1 :ZbA1 2.25X1 In the Kabul area, the US Embassy reports that Soviet and Afghan troops con- tinue their attacks in Paghman, higher-than-normal helicopter operations from 25X1 25X1 25X1 5 November 1985 NESA M 85-10218JX 25X1 SOVA M 85-10195JX Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Activity within the Soviet medical compound at Jalalabad increased significantly during September and October. During September the Soviets erected 11 large 25X1 general purpose tents in the medical compound, 25X1 only three to five tents 25X1 usually appear. By mid-October, the numbers of tents had increased to 21 large general purpose and 11 squad- size tents, a total capacity of approximately 500 25X1 beds. The Soviets placed screens around two of the smaller tent groupings by the end of October. Comment: The increase in medical activity most likely is caused by disease, a chronic problem among Soviet troops in Afghanistan. quarantine areas. Alternatively, elements of the 56th Air Assault Brigade--garrisoned at Jalalabad--took part in multiple heliborne assaults to clear the Salang Pass between Kabul and Pol-e Khomri in October and may have sustained heavy casualties. -- A Soviet soldier seeking refuge bolted into the US Embassy in Kabul last Thursday, but departed Monday with the Soviet ambassador. Soviet and Afghan military units surrounded the US compound and harassed Embassy personnel entering and leaving; electric power to the Embassy was cut off for at least two days. The situation has returned to normal. In 1980, US Embassy per- sonnel were holed up in the Embassy for almost one week when regime forces blockaded the Embassy after a Soviet soldier attempted to defect; he also ultimately decided to leave with Soviet officials. 25X1 25X1 25X1 5 November 1985 NESA M 85-10218JX 25X1 SOVA M 85-10195JX Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 2.5X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8 25X1 The new Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Inder Pal Khosla, is discernibly pro-regime, according to the US Embassy in Kabul, and studiously avoids Western diplomats. US officials are concerned that Khosla's behavior is contrary to official Indian policy and could give Soviet and regime officials the impression that India is more sympathetic toward Afhganistan than it, in fact, is. 5 November 1985 NESA M 85-10218JX SOVA M 85-10195JX Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 1ytf,_. It Ko Z` 0T h ~~?-TiB-rid 6 ~][w dd BADAKH aAIKH 11 \l / TAKHAR?~ ?.JOW7JAN ' A ,O. ____. Afghanistan International boundary Province boundary * National capital Province capital `-` Railroad Road 5 November 1985 NESA M 85-10218JX SOVA M 85-10195JX Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Fighting in Afghanistan remained intense during October. There were several Soviet operations-- sometimes with Afghan regime forces--in early October to clear strategic lines of communication and destro insurgent bands and their bases. part, the resistance continued to pressure Soviet and Afghan forces in Qandahar, Herat, and Paghman, rocketed Kabul, and inflicted more aircraft losses. 25X1 ., 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 5 November 1985 NESA M 85-10218JX 25X1 SOVA M 85-10195JX Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8 Soviet units also conducted extensive air and sweep operations in an attempt to clear the Paghman area northwest of Kabul of insurgent strongholds. US Embassy sources report that the Soviets are constructing outposts and garrisons there in an effort to secure the area, lon a security headache for Soviet troops. Insurgents Maintain Pressure in Other Areas Despite heavy Soviet and Afghan activity, insurgents maintained pressure in several other areas throughout US Embassy sources indicate that heavy fighting occurred day and night throughout the month in Qandahar City, and the insurgents are gradually expanding their control. After repeated resistance attacks, the Afghan regime pulled its guard posts from the main bazaar in Qandahar and conceded the area to the insurgents. US Embassy sources report that a hundred regime troops mutinied, killed their superiors, and defected to the insurgents. Soviet troops remain holed up at the air- port or in their garrisons, and 1,000 fresh Soviet troops were sent to relieve those who had been there for six months, according to US Embassy sources. 5 November 1985 NESA M 85-10218JX SOVA M 85-10195JX 25X1 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Embassy sources indicate that the resistance conducted a sustained rocket and heavy machinegun attack on Kabul airport on 19 October and rocketed Kabul nearly every day for a week. Outlook Soviet and regime operations in the Salang Pass probably will disrupt insurgent activities only temporarily. The Soviets did not garrison additional troops to secure this area, and Masood was reportedly resupplying his units. We expect increased airstrikes and increased Soviet and regime ground operations-- 5 November 1985 NESA M 85-10218JX 25X1 SOVA M 85-10195JX Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8 perhaps with redeployment of aircraft and personnel from other parts of Afghanistan--to temporarily drive insurgents from Herat and Qandahar. Because of the difficulty of transporting supplies to Herat, guerrilla groups there may face difficulty this winter countering and sustaining operations. 5 November 1985 NESA M 85-10218JX SOVA M 85-10195JX Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85T01058R000507060001-8 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8 Top Secret Top Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/11: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000507060001-8