National

Panetta believes Pakistan knew of bin Laden hideout

January 28, 2012

162

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta still believes someone in authority in Pakistan knew where Osama bin Laden was hiding before US forces went in to find him, he said in a TV interview to air Sunday.
Intelligence reports found Pakistani military helicopters had passed over the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan where US Navy SEALs discovered and killed bin Laden last year, according to excerpts of an interview Panetta gave to CBS News.
“I personally have always felt that somebody must have had some sense of what was happening at this compound. Don’t forget, this compound had 18-foot walls. It was the largest compound in the area.
“So you would have thought that somebody would have asked the question, ‘What the hell’s going on there?'” Panetta told CBS.
The Pentagon chief said that concern played a significant factor in Washington not warning Pakistan officials of the impending raid: “It concerned us that, if we, in fact, brought (Pakistan) into it, that– they might…give bin Laden a heads up,” he said.
Panetta acknowledged he did not have “hard evidence” Pakistan knew of the Al Qaeda leader’s whereabouts.
US Navy SEALs killed Bin Laden on May 2 in a raid on a compound in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad, north of the capital Islamabad, and later buried the 9/11 mastermind at sea.

23 COMMENTS

Nusrat Bokhari January 28, 2012 at 06:07

Haven’t we been through all this before?
Omar Iftikhar January 28, 2012 at 06:08

Well, I think establishment knows more than we can ever imagine!
Abbas Jaffery January 28, 2012 at 06:15

Either way it is a major issue, if our military and intelligence knew about him that means they are an accomplice and if they don’t they are incompetent….
Faisal Shahzad January 28, 2012 at 06:16

Ifffffffffffffffffff bin laden was their then definatly yes but unfortunately he was not their,, it was only a topy drama
- Anon January 29, 2012 at 04:09
  
  You are bright in your own igloo…
Zuhair Siddiqui January 28, 2012 at 06:43

YES I DO
Waseem Khan Bangash January 28, 2012 at 08:04

still the about osama how dumb can we get it was fake
Sincere Scene January 28, 2012 at 09:26

Agree with Faisal Shahzad…
that was a drama creadted by Americans..wo itnay saal avien Jung krte rahy so Awam k saamnay khud ko sacha krne k liye OSAMA ka Drama Banaya taa k ye keh sakien k hamien achievement mili hai….aur pakistani Govt bhi Buzdil hi hai…Fittay moun
Shahid Malik January 28, 2012 at 11:08

If anybody knew about OBL's presence, the only possibility is Kayani & Pasha. Of course, Army is not in the habit of sharing top secret matters with their civilian leadership.
Vasi Jamal January 28, 2012 at 11:27

LOL! What a bunch of crap as usual from the American establishment & the warmongers! And sadly our own establishment is in on it too; there’s NO evidence that it was actually Osama in that farce of a raid!! Panetta and his freakin’ President are on the verge of desperation, as they are pretty much on their way out as the Republicans (who mind you are most likely going to be even worse, not only for the world but the US as well) are highly likely to take back the White House! 🙂
- Anon January 29, 2012 at 04:14
  
  There is still some room in Faisal's igloo. Please get in…
  - Vasi January 29, 2012 at 17:15
    
    Wow "wonderful" trolling "skills" dude! Nothing to counter the points presented, and just dish out nonsense! Typical confused attitude…wasting everybody's time too!
Nelta John January 28, 2012 at 11:35

Same old story, nothing new.
MUNIB January 28, 2012 at 12:00

I am a PAK and i 100% agree to Panetta. An agency which has the notoriety of abducting and killing its own civilians (mainly balochiz ) why there is any doubt it was hiding OBL ?
Tayyaba Rana January 28, 2012 at 12:55

yes
Rizwan January 28, 2012 at 13:44

I agree it was all topi drama .
Asad Saleem January 28, 2012 at 14:57

it was just a scheme and a plot against our country… a staged drama to defame us globally …
shirjheel January 28, 2012 at 15:24

idiot, for two years his own agency could not trace the so called 9/11 kidnappers in his own country and he is blaming us and if his statement is true for argument sake, did they also know about the 9/11 terrorist. Think before you speak.
Sajid Hurmaz January 28, 2012 at 17:42

it’s impossible bcz is it true tht wanted no1 person can hidesout there in islamabad or outskirt, i think tht was totaly topi drama just to destablise pakistan,,bcz usa has already declared us a terrorest nation bt our Govt and estebliishment asleep for a while
arshad ali khan January 28, 2012 at 19:23

OBL case, it all happened during Musharaf time, Why American do not check all thing from him. Because it is claimed that OBL was in Abbotabad for the last six years.And Musharaf is regularly visiting USA as their beloved guest.
A Haque January 28, 2012 at 19:30

Panetta is an idiot. As Secretary of Defence, he is responsible for the attack on Pakistan border posts and he is the one who advised Omaba against apologizing despite Hillay Clinton's repeated requests. He is a liability to President Obama and I hope Obama fires him after the elections.

Pakistan Government should give him a befitting and a powerful response. A comment on this by our PM in Davos would do well too.
Anon January 29, 2012 at 04:26

Kick and Kiss policy on Pakistan, Live…
Muhammad Younus Butt January 29, 2012 at 14:30

america knows the whereabouts of Bin Ladin and putting blame on Pakistan.How America is becoming INNOCENT AND IGNORANT.WHAT THE FUNNY GAME GOING ON BY AMERICA ITSELF AND VERY CLEVERLY BLAME ON OTHERS.