Facts about Bin Laden's Death Raise Disturbing Questions about Pakistani Complicity

COMMENTARY | In the aftermath of the death of Osama Bin Laden, serious questions are arising regarding the sincerity of Pakistan's adherence to its promise to find the terrorist leader. As speculation that Pakistan may have been harboring the terrorist leader mounts, the country's former intelligence chief, retired Lt. Gen. Hamid Gul, warns that making inferences of Pakistan's foreknowledge or collusion is dangerous.

"It is wrong to say that the ISI [Pakistan's intelligence agency] or the Pakistani government was harboring Osama," he said. "Let more information come in. It is not unusual to have compounds with huge walls and heavy security in this part of Pakistan. Pathans usually build huge compound walls."

First of all, since when are nomadic or even semi-nomadic tribes known for building million dollar fixed structures? Furthermore, why would the Pakistani government officials be so quick to dismiss the significance of having such a violently pro-Taliban movement build a 3,000 sq. ft. compound so close to their nation's capital? More importantly, why would government officials in Pakistan find no cause for concern that this structure was built less than a mile from a Pakistani military academy? And since when do nomadic Pathans need helicopters?

The less than discreet compound was built less than a mile from the Kakul Military Academy in 2005. Erected at the end of a narrow dirt road, the fortress was eight times the size of neighboring structures and was clearly designed with "extraordinary" security measures in mind. Twelve to 18 ft. walls were topped with barbed wire and a terrace was protected by a 7 ft. privacy wall . Two security gates restricted access to the facility and internal walls were built to section off different parts of the compound. Few of the windows of the three-story building were set to face the outside of the compound. There was no phone or Internet service connected to the facility.

Curiously, even though the land the compound sits on is valued at approximately $1 million and expensive cars were seen driving through the security gates, the brothers who owned the property had no explainable source of wealth. It will be interesting to find out in the days to come how two poor, nomadic Pathan brothers could afford to build such an elaborate fortress. It will also be fascinating to hear them explain how known Taliban supporters could establish a base near the headquarters of the Second Division of the Northern Army Corps and the many officers retired there - without notice.

Although one Pakistani official claimed that the choppers took off from a Pakistani air base, inferring awareness and cooperation, other sources say that it was by Barack Obama's orders that American special operations teams invaded the airspace of a foreign country. Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said the United States violated Pakistan's sovereignty by sending in Special Forces to kill bin Laden. Although President Barack Obama said Pakistan had provided "some information" leading to the raid, the Pakistani government was curiously not informed before the attack took place. While thanking those responsible for the operation's success, Pakistan was notably missing from mention in the list of participants.

What did Pakistan know and how long did they know it?

The questions and mounting contradictions are disturbing.

Sources:

Eyder Peralta, " Scene from Pakistan: Bin Laden Was Hiding In Plain Sight ", NPR

"Pakistan not informed about strike on Osama hideout", The Times of India"

The Free Dictionary

Kamran Haider, "Heat on Pakistan as Bin Laden Killed Near Capital", Reuters

By Nahal Toosi and Zarar Khan , "Bin Laden killed in fiery raid in Pakistan", The Seattle Times

Musharraf says he would not have allowed US operation to kill Osama", The Mumbai Mirror

Nahal Toosi and Kathy Gannon, "Bin Laden's luxury hideout raises questions", Boston.com