Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a blistering debate on Piers Morgan Uncensored, British journalist Piers Morgan refuted claims by Pakistani analyst Shehzad Ghias Shaikh that Osama bin Laden was in hiding due to the intelligence Pakistan’s agencies managed. To fuel his argument, Shaikh cited the “bin Laden papers” which were released by American intelligence.

Interjecting Shaikh as he was still speaking, Morgan shot out, “What you just said is utterly ludicrous.” He highlighted that “a few hundred yards” from where bin Laden was found was a major Pakistani military base, furthering saying that Pakistan military intelligence can be that incompetent.

Osama bin Laden’s Hideout in Abbottabad

Al Queda leader and head of the 9/11 terror attack, Osama bin Laden was executed on May 2, 2011, during a US armed forces raid codenamed ‘Operation Neptune Spear’. He had been living in a large, fortified compound in Abbottabad, a garrison town in Pakistan, for over five years.

There was heightened suspicion all over the globe with regards to whether Pakistan military had information about Osama’s presence in the compound due to its military facilities. The confidential, large size of the compound, along with its location in Pakistan near military facilities raised super power suspicion. After the CIA tracked a trusted courier, they conducted the operation.

Inside Details of the U.S. Secret Raid

A pair of Black Hawk helicopters carrying U.S. Navy SEALs breached the Pakistan border without any form of alert. The SEAL team cleared the first and second floors of the compound before engaging bin Laden on the third floor, in which he was killed at close range. The 40-minute operation also included the killing of one of bin Laden’s sons, two of his couriers, and a woman.

Within one day of the raid, bin Laden’s corpse was buried at sea.

Shifting Diplomatic Relations Between U.S. and Pakistan

The US-undertaken operation caused a diplomatic disturbance since it was claimed without Pakistan’s knowledge. In retaliation, the U.S. froze $33 million aid to Pakistan. Although relations were temporarily tensed, the two countries eventually resumed their collaboration.

Final Thoughts: Pakistan Under Increased Focus and Scrutiny

The conversation between Piers Morgan and Shehzad Shaikh brought the discuss back on whether Pakistan is complicit or careless enough to let one of the world’s most wanted terrorists live on without any action taken against him. Morgan’s responses were clearly highlighting the growing concerns by West observers regarding the intelligence functions of Pakistan.

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