Osama Bin Laden (Img: File Photo/ Pinterest)
New Delhi: Newly declassified documents from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have revealed that India was among the countries considered by former al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden for possible terror attacks before the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.
The CIA released more than 70 presidential intelligence briefs containing over 100 pages of material linked to bin Laden’s activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York.
A presidential intelligence brief dated August 28, 1998, titled “Bin Ladin Terrorist Network Still a Threat”, reportedly mentioned that bin Laden wanted to launch attacks in multiple countries, including India.
The document also referred to countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Uganda and possibly Nigeria. However, the intelligence brief did not mention any specific Indian target, planned date or detailed operational strategy.
The released documents showed that US intelligence agencies had repeatedly warned American presidents between 1998 and 2001 about the growing threat posed by bin Laden and his network.
The brief assessed that al-Qaeda leaders based in Afghanistan had survived earlier US strikes and that their communication networks remained active. It also suggested that the terror group had restarted training activities at some locations.
According to the documents, bin Laden had access to supporters and allied groups spread across several countries and could use these networks to carry out attacks.
On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four commercial aircraft in the United States. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Centre’s Twin Towers in New York, leading to their collapse.
A third aircraft struck the Pentagon, while the fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft.
The latest CIA document release provides fresh details about intelligence warnings issued in the years leading up to one of the deadliest terror attacks in modern history.
