Pakistan not informed about strike on Osama hideout

Washington, May 2: Apparently fearing a leak, the US did not inform Pakistan about the closely guarded operation on the outskirts of Islamabad today (May2) that resulted in the death of al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden, a senior administration official said.

"The information was not shared with any other country including Pakistan," the official said, adding that in such a kind of operation, the information is kept only to a few people and this was done in this case too.

The official told White House correspondents that the successful 40-minute operation was carried out by two US helicopters.

Besides, Osama bin Laden, three men and one woman was killed in this operation. One helicopter was damaged due to mechanical failure, but no US special forces were injured or hurt in this operation.

Announcing the death of bin Laden, President Barack Obama asked Pakistan to co-operate with the US in the war against terror.

"Going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates," Obama said in his live televised speech.

"Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we've done. But it's important to note that our counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding.Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people," Obama said.

"I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterpart.They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations.

"And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates," said the US President.

bin Laden was killed in a US operation in Abbottabad.

A senior administration official said they would investigate as to how Osama was living so close to Pakistan's capital that too in a neighbourhood which was normally a residence of top retired military officials.

PTI