5 Reasons Why This is an Important Story, according to CNN-IBN
- The admission by a Pakistani official is on record.
- This nails claims by both Zardari and Kayani.
- Exposes Pakistan’s stand of not knowing Osama’s whereabouts.
- This admission means Pakistan was complicit in hiding Osama.
- Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, who has revealed this information, was number 2 and Zardari’s confidante.
KC Singh, Former Diplomat: The Defence Minister knew, that I’m surprised. That means that he could blackmail the army. That is a bit difficult to believe. I don’t think the Pakistani army knew about the operation. Because if they did, they would’ve taken him to the border and handed him over.
Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP: I too am sceptical about the theory that Mukhtar has floated. It seems unlikely. But it is obvious that the compound Osama Bin Laden was living in could not have been built without help from the Pakistani army.
The information given by Mukhtar is now opened to discussion. Former RAW Chief AS Dulat, KC Singh, former diplomat, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor are on the panel.
Here’s part of the interview CNN-IBN did with former Pakistan Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar.
CNN-IBN report claims:
1. General Ashfaq Kayani knew that Osama Bin Laden lived in Abbotabad, next to a military academy.
2. The then President Asif Ali Zardari knew that Osama Bin Laden lived in Abbotabad.
3. Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, then Defence Minister of Pakistan says in an interview that Pakistan knew the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden.