Pakistan

US was prepared for clash with Pakistani forces in OBL raid: Report

Obama ordered that the team sent to raid OBL hideout be large enough to fight off Pakistani forces if they intervened.

Afp May 10, 2011

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama ordered that the team sent to raid Osama bin Laden's compound be large enough to fight off Pakistani forces should they intervene, the New York Times reported.

Citing unnamed officials, the paper said Obama raised the prospect of a clash 10 days before the May 1 raid, resulting in an extra two fighter helicopters being sent to protect the commandos raiding the compound.

"Some people may have assumed we could talk our way out of a jam, but given our difficult relationship with Pakistan right now, the president did not want to leave anything to chance," it quoted a senior official as saying."He wanted extra forces if they were necessary."

The Times also reported that two teams of specialists were on standby for the mission: one to bury the al Qaeda leader if he were killed, and another made up of lawyers, interrogators and translators in case he was captured.

It said the latter team was likely aboard the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson in the North Arabian Sea. Bin Laden was buried at sea after he was shot dead in the raid, officials have said.

The latest revelations come at a time of heightened tensions between the two military allies, with Pakistan slamming the US operation and denying what it called "absurd" allegations that it was sheltering the world's most wanted man.

Islamabad has also vowed to retaliate against any similar operations. Washington in turn has emphatically refused to say sorry for taking out its enemy Number 1, blamed for masterminding the September 11, 2001 attacks in which almost 3,000 people were killed.

COMMENTS (65)

Kashif Awan | 13 years ago | Reply Osama was died when Americans attack on Tora Bora !!!!!! this is the drama which is created by Obama management to get save place to leave Afghanistan. Americans Tried to blame on ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN that this whole terrorism is growth in PAKISTAN. But actually Mujahiddin's are payed 100,000 to 400,000 monthly by the external resourses of America. and they are trained by Americans before the war against Russia in Afghanistan. at that time PAKISTAN help the rude Americans for the sake of PAKISTAN. at the same time Americans Entered the Osama by the name of ALQAIDA GROUP. After the great drama which is created by CIA and MAUSAD (Israeel Inteligence) of Nine Eleven, Americans showed it that this terrorism is made by Alqaida. Dear friends who Alqaida? Alqaida which is created by Americans. it simply that Americans Management is Terrorist Because they are creating terrorist in the world. to hold in any MUSLIM Country these Americans Big terrorist Send the Small Terrorist in that country and show in the world to make fool to the people that terrorist are planing to attack on America are in XYZ Muslim Country. by the way i would like to say simply that which operation is made in Abbotabad which totally planned by ISI. why? this story begins after capturing of Reymond Devis Murderer. after that pakistan ISI Members went to meet Americans and warn them ""that what the activities your CIA members are doing in PAKISTAN, stop them from rightnow. otherwise the American Forces will have to pay much more than Russia and we will destroye the Americans Forces in this region. you have come to take Osama in this region so we have planned such a thing. that plan was that Americans Forces will hiddenly Attack on strange house in Abbotabad which were made by two Innosent brothers. and at that time you will show that Osama has murdered by American Forces. In this whole drama there will be no involvement of PAKISTAN DEFENCE and ISI. world will happy that you Americans Murdered Osama and you have achieved your target. and then you will have a big reason to leave afghanistan safely."" after planning of this mission American Management say the INDIAN Management that this is the right time to attack on PAKISTAN. When Indian Forces will attack on PAKISTAN then the American Forces will help the INDIAN Forces. but unfortunately INDIAN Management reject the offer of Americans Rude Management.

Aslam | 13 years ago | Reply @MAD: And you think our F16s (actually theirs) will attack their own helicopters? When it comes to Pakistan v/s USA combat none of our US provided fighter jets, radar and other military equipments will work because they have lock embeded in their technology which prevent any attack on US targets by Pakistani F16s. Because of this concern India did not purchased US F18 superhornets or F-35 Lightning II stealth even after offered by US. That was the reason India decided to purchase European fighters.

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Aslam | 13 years ago | Reply @Muhammad Junaid Akhter: "One Pak army man is equal to 10.5 American or 15.75 Indian soldiers. No power on earth can touch our armed forces unless otherwise they invite their own destruction. ." Well said but how can you prove it? 1947, 1965, 1971 (great disaster), Kargil, Osama killing, killing of 34000 inocent Pakistanis since 9/11? Did we win any of these wars or for that matter did we win any war in last 60 years?

Ajaz Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply @Asim+Ali: Great written guyes!!!!!!!!!

badshah | 13 years ago | Reply @Khalid Masood: From your blogs you don't sound like common man. You fought in Kargil war didnt you? You are a brave man not common man :)

Khalid Masood | 13 years ago | Reply What do wise and determined nations do at the hour of acute crisis ? Do you people wanted PAF to shoot down US SEAL Helicopters over Pakistani air space? Do you people comprehend possible repercussions of such action ? Most of you may not know but 12 USAF F-35 fighter jets were circuiting close to Pak Afghan border during the night of 1 May at the time of Abbottabad Operation ? They was at the distance equal to the distance between Sargodha and Abbottabad. You people wanted a dog fight and show down between PAF and USAF planes? can our PAF afford further loss of some F-16 fighters. Why some people cannot understand that PAF can fight back IAF but not USAF. Most of the chest drummers are likely to run away from Pakistan holding their Canadian and Australian (dual nationality) passports in their hands in the event of attack by US Forces. You and me, the common people, will be left to face the wrath of US Military Power.

Salman | 13 years ago | Reply Come on US fight from the face front. Don't lie to your people and the world every one knows what CIA was doing in other countries. I want this fight it sooner than later... Most of Pakistanis knows that you are against our Nuclear Program and want to dismantle it. The Option "B" you taking about is that you want Pakistan Army to intervene in the OBL mission so you can target it in the umbrella of Self Defense.

Iftikhar-ur-Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply @Ghouse Basha: Do we have any proof this???

Mirza | 13 years ago | Reply Two dozen men went, they completed the mission and withing two hours they came back victorious. Yet none of these brave patriotic soldiers live in the lap of luxury like Pakistan army and ISI. Nobody knows their names and none is publicized as they were only doing their job, which the elected govt wanted them to do. This is what a military should do not making political statements and covering their rear end.

Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply :), wow pres obama is smarter than his generals, he "raised" the prospects that his seals and generals could not think of.....

ghairatmand | 13 years ago | Reply @Muhammad Junaid Akhter: Kyun mia ALLAH ka naam kharab kar rahey ho. Islam preaches peace not the mass weaponisation. It's people like you who take pride in amassing stockpile of weapons and fanatics misguided army and possess false pride. Our army is good but not the best, the ground realities and battle results have proved it every time. So something we are not doing right there by loosing support of ALLAH. HE does not help those with insidious plans. Come clean, spread peace.

Salman Zafar | 13 years ago | Reply If we read stories of America's leading newspapers, they ars are more humiliating .... Very upset....

Hyder Ali | 13 years ago | Reply The US attack team that came to Abbottabad consisted of a Pashtun speaker, possibly an Afghan, an Urdu speaker, possibly an Indian, an Arabic speaker, possibly a Yemeni or Saudi, and a couple of British officers. It was quite an international team, There was no Israeli to bless the land of the Pure with his presence. Otherwise, Pakistanis could have said it was a Crusader/Hindu/Jewish conspiracy.

Talha | 13 years ago | Reply @Asim+Ali: "Arab money or their heritage" "We have supported Jihad and nurtured extremism with Arab money" Islam is nothing to do with Arabs, and Gulf FDI in pakistan is very low.Pakistan never supported Jihad or extremism.Pakistan supported the NATIONALIST movement in Kashmir.It worked with America,Egypt,Saudi and Europe to fight the soviets why do indian troll these pages ? " ordinary citizens of this country cannot enter the naval residential or DHA " If ordinary citizens can bomb ISI office or shoot in Army mosque they can do anything. Osama only needed to get in once , he didnt go shopping and to the local mosque everyday.Dont believe everything you read in the times of india

FactCheck | 13 years ago | Reply @a khan: But you need $, IMF and world bank. Pakistan is not even on the boards. China has 95,998 votes, US has 108,124, Inad has 58,954 votes in the IMF. By far US has the largest voting block. Pakistan has a meger 11,076 and cannot vote on certain things because Pakistan is net borrower.

FactCheck | 13 years ago | Reply @MAD: F18 Raptors were on stand by and F16 and F18 are in Afghanistan. Not to mention drones. Do you guys really believe you can fight US forces with your Chinese junk?

malik | 13 years ago | Reply @Hamid Majid Abbasi: Bravo

Bikku | 13 years ago | Reply @Someone: Hahaha !!!!!!!! stack all your airforce on western border and leave the eastern flank open, Pakistanis like you should be allowed to join paki forces in 1000's.

amalik | 13 years ago | Reply should have followed us helicopters in afghanistan and hit them there on their base............

Babloo | 13 years ago | Reply I am sure my comments wont be posted. But , still, I dont understand the myth about Pak army, among Pakistanis. I mean after 1965, absolute humilation of 1971 , Siachen in 1985 and then Kargil debacle , what exactly is the mytrh about Pak army among Pakistanis and what's the rational basis for it ? I am not even talking about what Pak army did to Pakistan under Yahya Khan, Zia, Musharraf etc.

Cheeko Beeko | 13 years ago | Reply It was the prerogative of the US government to raid the hideout of OBL to get him when Government of Pakistan failed to arrest him after 9/11 attacks. It brings shame for the Government of Pakistan that OBL was hiding in a custom-built house in Abbotabad for the past five years. Prime Minister’s allegation that it was failure of entire world’s intelligence agencies is not correct. Pakistan did not invited Chief’s of intelligence agencies around the world, so why to blame others, when it was the prime responsibility of Pakistan’s intelligence to go and get OBL. Had Pakistan got OBL dead or alive prior to US raid in Abbotabad, its negative image would have been completely changed around the world. It is unfortunate that we talk a lot but either do nothing or do very little to address the issue of terrorism. OBL is now dead. People who still believe that OBL is alive are living in fools’ paradise. OBL was heading Al-Qaeda. After him some one else will lead the Al-Qaeda. Pakistan cannot say that US got OBL from Afghanistan or some other country. It was very Pakistan and in Abbotabad where OBL was hiding for the past five long years. The world would like to see what action government of Pakistan will take to arrest remaining Al-Qaeda members from Pakistan’s soil. Like OBL, Pakistan cannot simply say that after the death of OBL all Al-Qaeda members have left Pakistan and have climbed the Tora Bora mountains.

Lol | 13 years ago | Reply Warning to Us. .pakistan has best suicide bombers

saad | 13 years ago | Reply if they would have attacked us then they would have been defeated in no time. we would have humiliated US. they could have better planes and technology but they can never match courage of martial races of pak watan

Ghouse Basha | 13 years ago | Reply One Pak army man is equal to 10.5 American or 15.75 Indian soldiers. No power on earth can touch our armed forces unless otherwise they invite their own destruction. .

Ik | 13 years ago | Reply Yankees are not useless indians to send dossiers, they will send B52's, raptors, tomahawks, F35's. Our Country will become khabrasthan, which we already close to become now, with all the suicide bombings. Already people call us 'militant pakis' all over the world. Image of pakistan is awful now, & no more visas will be issued to us. Stop the adventurism & clean up the house.

BS | 13 years ago | Reply @A.ghaffar dawood: I think you will see Obama start drawing the troops out of Afghanistan shortly --no later than July --and increasing emphasis and pressure on Pakistan. He has always thought the war should be in Pakistan and not Afghanistan and he will get his way. You will see the use of predator drone airplanes sharply increase in Pakistan.

Naveed Javed | 13 years ago | Reply Flabbergasted on reading this.. Absolute disgrace for me as a PAKISTANI.!.

Hamid Majid Abbasi | 13 years ago | Reply @US was prepared for clash with Pakistani forces in OBL raid The so called projected invincible US seals only went after OBL after their 10 months long surveillance notified that he is outnumbered, handicap and virtually a paralysed soul. Why not Obama ask these champions about their bravery in Tora bora.......where their cries were heard for miles and US had to hire mercinaries to hunt OBL........and this is what kept him living for so long.......... They just had the time on their side, otherwise in Somalia their black hawks were biting dust and their seals running for air when Pak troops came for their rescue.........and what a performance, killing an unarmed man shows the fear..heard some1 from their side defending that we thought he sleeps with a suicide vest...........man!!!!what an intel and bravery I must say_______

Ik | 13 years ago | Reply Km & mad, have u heard of B-52s & F-35s. Or heard of 'bombed to stonage' statement. Now stop being jingoistic & be practical.

Muhammad Tauseef A. Bajwa | 13 years ago | Reply Those who had dealt with Americans any where in the World knew it too well how coward they are. Americans depend upon 'technology' but they fail miserably in its command & control. They use "biological weapons" and deadly "gases" before advancing in any territory as they capture the land left behind the 'dead'. Tell me a singly war front in Iraq, Afghanistan and else where where they dare to show a gallantry? Many times in our lives we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless but no matter, what has happened or what will happen we mustn't loose our values. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do OR what we inherited but, by how we react to the calamity that surfaced! Leave them who got "Red Carpet" Welcome/Guard of Honor in Pentagon OR who's Portrait is hanging in their "Hall of Fame". By the way what's "their" gallantry achievements in Military profession?

Imran | 13 years ago | Reply @M Ali Khan: ""Promote music, culture, arts and architecture, our rich history and civilization. We really do not need Arab money or their heritage."" Poet of the east, the greatest philosopher ever ideological founde if this country Allama MUhammad Iqbal said" may tum ko bataoon taqdeer-e-umam kiya hay -------- shamsheer-o-sana awal taoos-0-ruba aakhir

saleem | 13 years ago | Reply I wish they had attacked our forces as well just to wake them up from their slumber.

Zia Ud DIN | 13 years ago | Reply America has taken it granted to attack any country on every kind of pretext,lies,fabrications etc.WMDS lied Iraq invasion,so of Afghanistan without furnishing proofs of Osama involvement in 9/11 as requested by Mula Umars'.It did the same in case of drones and now Abotabad operations withiout giving proff in black and white but its own explanation in all arrogance. I think world opinion should be mobilized all over the worlds especially USA,West the way USA is acting to cushion its torn economy and bound to destroy the peace of world.USA,UK,West have exhausted their natural resources and now scared to be subjugated to China and other developing countries, which it wants to circumvent.

Pragmatist | 13 years ago | Reply It's a good thing it did not come to that. The Americans would have found out about the power of the mighty Pakistani military ! Don't mess with the Pakistani military !

Explorer | 13 years ago | Reply Yes, Yankees are coming!

KM | 13 years ago | Reply @Kazmis: If one is to believe in what you have said, then why these Hatfs, Ghauris, JF 17s,, etc, etc???

MAD | 13 years ago | Reply @Kazmis: Duhhhhh. You really should read the entire comment before commenting. readd the last two sentences. What did I write?

Hamid Javaid | 13 years ago | Reply From the mouth of our leaders "America darling you are right it my mother (Pakistan) who is always on the wrong path. You said we should fight USSR we did it and kissed your toes. You said we are terrorist Yes darling my brother and sisters are terrorist. No my countrymen, unless we are not working for the transformation of your society we can't enjoy your sovereignty. Like your larders we ourself are our worst enemies. We do nothing except giving our votes based on our emotional affiliations and undermine the greater cause which can produce collective benefits for all. The solution is get rid of these incompetent leaders and give the responsibility to your streets men who know the pain of suffering. Khudi Na Baich Gharibi Main Nam Paida Kar.

Someone | 13 years ago | Reply Thanks for the tip Mr. Obama. Now next time, if our army is sensible enough, we should stack up our whole air force on the western border. Then we'll see how a couple of your helicopters even dare enter our airspace. The army generals better know what they are doing to protect our borders

D. Powers | 13 years ago | Reply The way that the US administration has changed the accounts of 2 May events over the course of a week, one cant believe a word that they say now. The victorious US media reported that the president watched the 40 minutes operation in real time ( with cameras mounted on SEALS helmets) turned out to be a cheap lie when Obama's post-operation statement was revised many times later on. 9/11 was a lie, Iraq was was was a lie, Afghanistan was was a lie and now this "operation Geronimo" is a big lie.

Muhammad Ibrahim | 13 years ago | Reply I think its baseless story, If its true than US is full of stupid bunch of leaders if they think two fighter helicopters can fight with Pakistan Air Force.

Kazmis | 13 years ago | Reply @MAD: Yes my dear four were enough, since our forces could not interfere as per agreement made by Musharraf,Any how, in case they try to interfere, the NATO flocks were just a call away.

HFB | 13 years ago | Reply I don't think so US is still in state of war they should remember we have No.1 Army as well as agency and we are not labonese

syed Imran | 13 years ago | Reply We pakistanis do not want Americans any more. Dont give us your peanuts(Dollors),we do not want assistance which takes away our Pride and Dignity. The assistance is only for the looters/plunderers and the gen public is otherwise not benefitted. Thankyou Mr.Obama to once again remind us beggers have no soverignity.

My Name is Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @Yasser Khan: You mention "Pakistanis voted for obama ". I thought only US citizens vote for the US President. Unless you mean that a Pakistani person even if he changes his citizenship is still a Paksitani and the oath of allegiance he takes whn changing his citizenship is false. That would mean therefore that all the "homegrown" islamic terrorists in Britian and Europe, are also Pakistani's. And if the oath of allegiabnce is fals, what else is false ? A close Pakistani friend of mine who works for a European MNC in Europe always moans that because he is Pakistani he is discriminated against. He badly wants to change his citizenship. But if he will always remain Pakistani, and vote with his religion and never assimilate, never shed his paksitani identiy for the new one that he has taken a citizenship oath for, sworn on the Koran by the way, then he deserves the discrimination I would think. And we all do

Against pseudos | 13 years ago | Reply @Muhammad Junaid Akhter: dont worry bro these are indians commenting here craps and propaganda under fake names. Dont reply to them.

Against pseudos | 13 years ago | Reply Hahaha may indians commenting here under fake muslim names, they are even ashamed to disclose their real names and identity. Pity on them

Iftikhar-ur-Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply Now I am very sure that the leadership (both political and army) were warned by USA Obama to stay away after the jets were scrambled as the American jets on Afghan border and USA ship in the Arabian sea were standing by to help the seals in case of intervention by Pakistani forces.

shafaqat ali | 13 years ago | Reply @Muhammad Junaid Akhter .. Dude its not the platform to test anyone's sacrifice for the country. Its pitty that we are satisfied that the drawing room discussions are good enough where we just appreciate or criticize each other's opinion. PAK army may have been great in past as we know but do we have any answer about what happened in 1971 and whats been happening for last five years. Is there any justification to what they claim and what the reality has come out to be. Its bitter to accept it for all of us inlcuding people who are related to Army directly as well as others. But we must admit that they are bound to serve the Nation by defending it, its their duty. No one forced individuals to join Army, it was their own choice. But once joined, duties need to be performed be it a SIPAHI or a GENERAL. I have worked very closely with these guys and i must tell you there are many great people in our Army but at the same time i must Admit there is no lack of corrupt Generals sitting in GHQ. We, as a nation can take anything but can't see ourselve getting humiliated like this. How come you can't control three helicoptors. If it has been done with your permissions, just tell us or accept that you were incompitent. Period!

a khan | 13 years ago | Reply Atleast obama is doing one favour for Pakistan. By utterly humiliating the most pro-american pakistani govt and most pro-american pakistani army ever, he is making sure that we dont fall in this trap ever again.

Qadeer Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Extreme insult. ashamed to be a pakistani

MAD | 13 years ago | Reply For gods sakes you really think a four helicoptor force was strong enough to hold off the pakistan Army which has three divisions based in Abbotabad plus several air force units nearby. Who are they trying to fool. It was all set up beforehand.

Muhammad Junaid Akhter | 13 years ago | Reply @M Ali Khan Relax brother.. one who don't know the difference between a Jihadist and a terror groups can talk only like u did. actually the problem is that we are so selfish that we can't see any one happy.. for us if a corrupt politician is having a land cruiser its ok but if a Mufti or Aalim have one we criticize that why is he having one and he should live simply, and stuff like that ... i ask u why ??? why are u criticizing that Army takes its share from budget ? who are you to ask ?? this is due to ALLAH and after that ther (our forces ) decades of incompetence that Pakistan exists.. world all over accept that Pak Army is on of the best in the world.. but people like u don't accept that. what have u done for this country ???? let us know.. justify that u r more patriot then army and other forces..

san | 13 years ago | Reply without our army and agencies support i dont think US would risk their elite force...they knew everything and they have to answer those questions...i am 110% sure we wont get those answers from our army and agencies...

Atheist, India | 13 years ago | Reply World is getting more and more frustrated with Pakistan. Get your act together otherwise the dooms day is not far.

Salman | 13 years ago | Reply US keep it simple just like Britishers were doing in Colonialism."Divide and Rule". They are the bloodlines of Britishers...aren't they? They are making world peaceful by their means.. Waging a war on other countries killing mostly innocent people and saying we are making peace.. The World War is already begin.. If you fire your other homes are you sure that they cant hit you back?.. US making more enemies day by day..

Fahd Shah | 13 years ago | Reply They are playing a game and we are falling in it. OBL was dead long before, i hope Pakistani leaders have a way out of this one, lets hope and pray. before Obama said they were all commandos and now the two helicopters we extra security and lawyers and translators.... lets see how long this tale goes

Qasim | 13 years ago | Reply They can say anthing, claim everything and disown whatever; no one is in a position to challenge their versions. However given their cozy relationship with the masters, seriously doubt if our subservient leaders (civil and military) could have dared a confrontation even if an opportunity arose?

Blunt! | 13 years ago | Reply Utter humiliation for the Pakistanis. However, they could have been more embarrasement had the Pakistani forces intervened & got thrashed at hands of US SEALS, on their own soil. Anyways no one is to blame. This would continue until Pakistan completely reforms its sorry state of affairs & indulgence with terror groups which I am pretty sure would continue to be safe on its land.

Yasser Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Obama has gone nuts and his thinking shows Pakistanis are the lowest creatures on earth, it's shame that so many Pakistanis voted for him in US elections

sajid | 13 years ago | Reply what would have the pak forces done anyway?? cmon seriously !!!/ thrown stones at the helicopters ?

M Ali Khan | 13 years ago | Reply The blame does not lie with the PPP Govt. Pres Zardari and PM Gilani know as much about Pakistan's security situation and apparatus as the Army tells them, and the Army does not tell much anyway. The blame solely lies with the Pak Army and the mental mavericks that run the ISI. Army has always been very fortunate that no one in this country has dared questioned them for all their decades of incompetence, money fleecing from federal budgets and foreign aid, extra-curricular business activities, support of Jihadist terror groups, and pushing absurd anti-India mantra. All of which has come full circle with the Abbottabad Embarrassment. Now it is time for the Parliament to stop being afraid of the Army and hold them accountable in full public view. The DG ISI, DG MI, Army Chief, Corps Commanders, and other high ranking generals with important posts should be questioned and grilled for the humiliation Pakistan keeps on suffering in front of the world. The myth of Pak Army's infallibility must be broken. Its now or never

Asim+Ali | 13 years ago | Reply We are in a mess. What kind of a strategy are we pursuing where our neighbors don't like us. We have supported Jihad and nurtured extremism with Arab money. The question is what was Bin Laden doing in Abbotabad in the first place. The ordinary citizens of this country cannot enter the naval residential or DHA or cantonment areas without checks and here we have the most notorious man on earth sitting half a KM from Kakul. The time to decide is now. We really do not need extremism in this country and for this we really need a single pronged strategy to weed this out. Promote music, culture, arts and architecture, our rich history and civilization. We really do not need Arab money or their heritage.

A.ghaffar dawood | 13 years ago | Reply Obama has played a master stroke and it is not surprising he had taken so many options before the raid.He is immortal in American history.

Billoo Bhaya | 13 years ago | Reply One is speechless. No words to describe one's anquish and humiliation. We really need a revolution now.

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