I think they told them this because it is what they want the Afghans to think.
I'm telling you, I think the Taliban is secondary here. We're focusing so much JUST on bin Laden, but I think info like this is deliberate disinformation. Do not be surprised if this is a two-pronged assault on Afghanistan and Iraq. I think Saddam Hussein is going to wake up with his palace in ruins one of these mornings.
They want the bad guys to think they're anywhere and everywhere all at once.
hell, from all existing press reports, I could have written the story. Its a lot of smoke folks and says nothing. We already know of Special Ops in Pak and Takistan as well as Ubekistan (sp). That and a little stuff from wire reports and conjecture on aircraft etc...there you go.
Really a no brainer. Besides OBL isn't there anyway. Reports have him in China, Somalia, Libya, Lebanon, Sudan, Chechnya and Pakistan. He's here he's there, he's under the bed....
Most of these press reports are for at home consumption. No real military significance here. Besides, Its not the home press we have to worry about, its the foriegn press that would love to report US troop movements.
Its no great mystery when heicopters fly overhead in the desolete lands of Buttkissistan that our boys are probably there...