Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001 - Nepal
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Author | Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism |
| Publication Date | 21 May 2002 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001 - Nepal, 21 May 2002, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4681077523.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Nepal was an early and strong supporter of the Coalition against global terrorism and of military operations at the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom, agreeing to allow access to their airports and airspace.
Like India, Nepal was more a target of terrorism – primarily from indigenous Maoist revolutionaries – than a base for terrorism against the United States. The indigenous Maoist insurgency now controls at least five districts, has a significant presence in at least 17 others, and at least some presence in nearly all the remaining 53 districts. Until recently, the Government used the police to address the increase in Maoist activity, but elements of the Nepalese Army were being deployed in July 2001.
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba came to power in July pledging to resolve the conflict through a negotiated peace. The Government and the Maoists agreed to a cease-fire and held three rounds of talks, during which Deuba announced plans for significant social reform that addressed some of the Maoists' economic and social concerns. The Maoists ultimately walked away from the talks and the cease-fire, and on 23 November launched simultaneous nationwide terrorist attacks. The Government declared a state of emergency. In mid-2001The Maoists began expanding their operations with attacks on officials and commercial enterprises. Prospects for negotiations in the near future are very dim.
The Maoists often have used terrorist tactics in their campaign against the Government, including targeting unarmed civilians. Of particular concern is the increase in the number of attacks against international relief organizations and US targets. (For example, terrorists burned the CARE International building when they attacked the town of Mangalsen 16-17 February 2002.) Before that attack, on 15 December, a US Embassy local employee was murdered. Nepalese police and US officials are still investigating the December killing. So far, no motive for the attack has been established and no suspects have been identified.
(A small bomb exploded at the Coca-Cola factory in Bharatpur, southwest of Kathmandu, the evening of 29 January 2002. The bomb caused only slight damage, and there were no injuries.) A similar device was set off at the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Kathmandu in late November. No US citizens are employed at either Coca-Cola plant.
