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London: A British Newspaper has disclosed that Taliban commanders and a few wealthier Arab supporters called on Al Qaeda Chief Osama Bin Laden while he was hideaway in a compound in the garrison city of Abottabad, Pakistan.
The Al Qaeda chief had direct contact with his followers and did not rely only on messengers because he knew the situation very well, The Sunday Telegraph revealed.
The newspaper reported that Britain was one of six countries along with the US, Canada, Israel, Germany and Spain identified as a target for terror strikes in the intelligence tow. Officials did not disclose detailed plots or threats.
As US and European domestic security officials accelerate counter-terror operations amid concerns of a lone wolf or terror cell revenge attacks to retaliate Bin Ladens killing, Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have withdrawn co-operation with their American counterparts.
Agents with ISI directorate are refusing to share details of suspects or plots in protest at the US operation to kill Bin Laden, raising the potential threat of attacks on Western cities.
An Afghan Taliban commander, who has previously provided reliable information to foreign media, disclosed that he had visited Bin Laden in Abbottabad.
The Taliban commander will be crucial for Western intelligence chiefs as they try and assess Bin Ladens role in international terror operations. They had initially believed that his contact with the outside world was conducted via messages on computer thumb drives.
The Taliban commander said on the condition on anonymity that when he last saw Bin Laden in Abbottabad two years ago, he seemed healthy and well briefed on recent developments, but worried about his safety and money.
Bin Laden had to continue to meet top aides because so many senior commanders had been captured or killed. He said he had no choice but to be active and meet people, despite the security risks, the Taliban leader said. He was meeting with other top Al Qaeda leaders who could get access to Abbottabad without threatening their safety.
The report will once again rise questions that how Bin Laden managed to live apparently undetected by the Pakistani authorities for several years near the countrys top military academy.
On Saturday the Pakistani parliament condemned the raid, calling for a review of ties with America and warning that Pakistan could cut supply lines to NATO and the US forces in Afghanistan if there were more such operations.
It is worth mentioning here that nor USA neither UK or any other state disclosed a single solid proof that shows that Osama Bin Laden was shot dead in Abottabad operation which raises serious concerns.
