Posted on 01/14/2006 3:21:21 AM PST by snarks_when_bored
Al-Qaida's second-in-command was not at the site of a U.S. airstrike on a Pakistan village near the Afghan border that killed at least 17 people, two senior Pakistani officials said Saturday.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, said that Pakistan's own investigation concluded that Ayman al-Zawahri was not in the village of Damadola.
"Their information was wrong, and our investigations conclude that they acted on a false information," said a senior intelligence official who has direct knowledge of the investigations launched by Pakistan to look into the attacks.
Separately, a senior government official told AP that al-Zawahri was not present at the homes which were attacked.
"He was not there, and this is what we know after a detailed probe" into the incident, he said.
Pakistan's government was expected to formally issue its reaction on the attack later Saturday.
CNN reported this morning that the locals have said they spotted a drone in the area a couple of days before the strike. If that's the case, then the element of surprise might have already been lost.
That's the only way I can think of. I haven't heard it brought up on the news and was just wondering.
I know it makes no sense. That's why the report stuck in my mind. And if we did show our cards early, why the heck did we do that?
Option #2 is more likely. Back during the early Spring of '04, the Paki's went into Whaziristan villages (uncontrolled tribal area in Pakistan on the border with Afghanistan where we think #1 & #2 are hidding) and allegedly took out senior AQ types. They telegraphed their move days ahead and never showed any evidence of capturing/killing any prominent AQ types. Read show of force to pacify us after Powell's visit. Problem is we have no permission from Musharaf to conduct operations on his side of the fence.
Just as long as they haven't infiltrated the CIA :)
ZOT, Welcome to Free Republic. Your point is we should bomb the USA? Please explain to us stupid conservatives. I need a good laugh. Do i smell ozone?
Actually, you can run and you can hide, but you'll only die tired....
Interesting.
Go back to your rat infested hole.....
It is also a way for him to agree with the local mideast version of events which always depicts US attacks as atrocities committed against innocent wedding parties and back yard barbeques. Al Qaeda members routinely pass in and out of Karachi under the protection of various allies while Musharaf looks the other way. They have heavily fortified compounds within the city. The US doesn't want to run the risk of causing a revolution in Pakistan and letting some nut job get his hands on their nukes. We give him f16's in exchange for information and he takes a neutral stance against the percieved western agression. Similar to our understanding with the Saudi Royal family.
No surprise - Pakistan is now condemning the attack....
Don't believe everything you read.
Exactly my point, friend. We have to carefully pick and choose which targets to pursue in Pakistan at the risk of causing the Musharaf government from being overthrowm by anti US elements accusing Musharaf of being a servant of the Americans. As you correctly stated, we do not want this to happen and have a bunch of pro-AQ/Taliban nuts take over the Paki nukes. Hence, if we went over, the reasons must have been good. Like it or not, we must deal with the sensitive political situation in Pakistan while hunting the vermin hidding in the region.
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