ISLAMABAD: The commission investigating the May 2 US raid in Abbottabad recorded statements of ISI officials on Monday who reiterated claims that the US had conducted the raid unilaterally without the consent of Pakistani authorities.
“The operation was conducted by US authorities without keeping Pakistan on board,” the ISI team was quoted as telling the commission members.
ISI officials briefed the commission about investigations it had carried out into the raid by a team of US Navy SEALs that had killed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
“The (ISI) interrogation team gave a detailed briefing and explained their perspective of the US operation in Abbottabad.
The briefing included background information and post-operation investigation findings,” said an official statement issued after the meeting.
The commission had barred at least two of Bin Laden’s wives and several children from leaving the country. They are in the custody of Pakistani agencies since.
The commission’s chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal will continue recording statements of ISI officials till October 6.
The meeting was attended by the commission members, including Abbas Khan, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi and Lt-Gen (retd) Nadeem Ahmed.
The terms of reference of the Abbottabad commission are to ascertain the facts surrounding Bin Laden’s undetected presence in Pakistan for almost five years, the circumstances and facts of the US operation, to investigate any security lapses that may have occurred on May 2 and lastly to make consequential recommendations based on the commission’s findings.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2011.
COMMENTS (7)
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@sami: How naive.
There was a son of binladin may be of age 22 who is still missing from the time of US raid & their is no news about him....Commissioning should explain his status or he was killed instead of OBL & dumped at sea????
The World wants to know how OBL lived comfortably for 5+ years within shouting distance of the Pakistan Military Academy. The Commission and the ISI don't seem to be concerned about who was helping OBL but are focused on determining whether anyone inside the govt might have been helping the USA. It's just another reason why the international community thinks poorly of Pakistan.
At least they didn't deny OBL was killed during that raid, I use to read few comments stating that this was a drama as no pictures has been revealed about that incident, Where are they now ?
current situation of US-PAK relations
USA: hey pakistan, we got rid of burning fire in your house. PAK: what? you came in my house to put out the fire without telling me? are you mad? USA: but look on the bright side, we got rid of the fire and saved lives! PAK: No! how dare you come in my house!
Why cant the ISPR record statements of Osama`s wives as to what happened that night and broadcast it on all news channels? Why hide things and make things public? This will end all conspiracy theories. Statement of children can also be recorded of the fateful night.
What
s the point in holding Osamas wives for such long period of time? They should be deported to their respective countries because, all discussions in the international forums when ever comes, Pakistan`s name keeps coming up. This is bringing bad name to the country.US won't like it.