Adil Najam
Late during the night between May 1 and May 2 in Pakistan there was news floating of a low-flying helicopter having blown up in the city of Abbottabad. There was much speculation, some wild rumors, but no confirmation of what had happened. Then, late night May 1 US East Coast Time (some six hours after the news about from Abbottabad had first started circulating in Pakistan), television screens in the US started flashing a notice that President Barack Obama would soon speak to the nation on a security issue. Rumors and speculation started flashing again.
(Unconfirmed – and, now, reportedly fake – photo of Osama Bin Laden’s dead body being shown on a private TV channel in Pakistan)
Soon it was confirmed that the news was that Osama Bin Laden had been killed: President Obama then confirmed that ke was killed in Pakistan, in Abbottabad, in an operation led by the US but conducted with support of Pakistani authorities (still not clear how much support, and whose). Reportedly, the US now has possession of Osama Bin Laden’s body.
This is a huge development in the War on Terror, even if Osama Bin Laden’s actual role had now become symbolic rather than operational. It is a development that also has huge implications for Pakistan, and for Pakistan-US relations.
More details are trickling by the minute. And partly for that reason it is not yet clear just what happened and which details are confirmed and which are speculation. What is now confirmed is: (a) Osama Bin Laden has been killed, (b) Osama Bin Laden was killed by US forces, (c) Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan, (d) Osama Bin Laden was killed in an operation that was eventually supported by Pakistani authorities, and (e) CNN has no idea about anything that has to do with Pakistan (according to them Abbottabad is an outskirt just outside Islamabad!
As details come in and as a narrative and reactions develop both in Washington and in Islamabad, the one big – the one biggest – question that every Pakistani is thinking about is: What will this mean for Pakistan-US relations? What will this mean for Pakistan and Pakistanis? What will this mean for terrorism within Pakistan as a backlash of this incident?
What do you think?
NPR just reported that this was a strictly only american strike and that the Pakistani Officials were only notified after the task was done.
However I think it was not possible for america to do this without someone high up in ISI making a decision to sacrifice Osama. They probably secretly passed on some info to CIA and CIA decided to go alone. CIA is happy to take credit and the ‘traitors’ in ISI wants no part of this ‘credit’.
This makes for a good spy movie.
All these days General Musharaff and others after him were giving out story that he is not in Pakistan.Why this lie?Why Emir of wazirstan Baitullah Mehsud also has to be killed by american drones and now also American troops has to be involved.Why this need for American drones in pakistan or American troops when Nawab of Bugti could be eliminated by Helicopter Gunships?Pakistanies have to introspect on this issue.
Comments from ATP Facebook Page:
– “Google map couldn’t find OBL but ISI did with mighty American forces. I love it, tomorrow should be holiday.
36 minutes ago”
– “They found him Under ISI nose … so Sham”
– “How come everybody pointing his / her finger on Politicians …it looks as our Problems breed at army level ….”
– “Paki knew that where’s he is & now so many questions raise how much Paki/Afghan government knew about it. I bet anything ISI knew that, our CIA not stupid they knows what they are doing. USA should proud of it & I myself love it.”
– “There goes away the US$ Aid to Pakistan.
I hope drone attacks will cease. ”
– “My dear your Billions dollars aids is history, now go ahead kill each other.”
– “Obama says troops engaged in firefight today on Osama compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, recovered his body.
Big huge news for all around the world thanks for ISI.”
@Adil: Osama Bin Laden Killed. Was Hiding in Abbottabad. What Will This Mean For Pakistan?
It means the ISI’s relationship with the CIA is toast. It also means the state of Pakistan is in the dock for the forseeable future. The import of OBL hanging out – with family – in a mansion in Abbotabad, instead of a cave on the Durand Line cannot be overstated. Requires superhuman suspension of disbelief that the ISI wasn’t protecting him. The gloves will come off on both sides: Kayani will openly support attacks on NATO/US troops, and everything goes downhill from there.
It is 60 Miles away from Islamabad. 3 miles away from Military Academy.
8 Times bigger than any place nearby. 3 Story Building.
12 – 18 feet hight walls. Built in 2005. This COMPOUND
is not known to MILITARY NEARY BY…
we do not blame innocent Pakistani’s ..but this !!!!
Either Pak Military Sucks..or they are Sucked into AL-queda. Taliban and so called JIHAD Terrorism…Allah Save the Good people….!!!