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 | 12 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 | 12 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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