CIA Documents: India Was On Bin Laden's Attack List
1998 Intelligence Brief Said Al-Qaeda Chief Considered Attacks In India And Several Other Countries
India was among several countries that former al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden had considered targeting in attacks before the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States, according to newly released documents from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The CIA on Friday released more than 70 presidential intelligence briefs containing over 100 pages of material related to bin Laden and his terrorist network. The documents were declassified 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”, said bin Laden wanted to launch attacks in multiple countries, including India. The list also mentioned Pakistan, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Uganda and “possibly” Nigeria.
The document, however, does not identify any specific target in India, an intended date for an attack or a detailed operational plan. Portions of the brief, including the source of the intelligence, remain redacted.
The assessment said bin Laden’s established infrastructure in North America, Europe and East Asia lent credibility to reports that his network could target US interests in those regions. It also said bin Laden and other terrorist leaders based in Afghanistan had survived US strikes on al-Qaeda camps and that their communications network remained intact.
The brief further noted that al-Qaeda had resumed training at some camps, while other camps were being relocated. It warned that bin Laden could call on individuals and allied groups in at least 60 countries to carry out attacks.
The newly released intelligence briefs cover the period from 1998 to 2001, spanning the administrations of former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush. The documents show that US intelligence officials repeatedly warned about the growing threat posed by bin Laden and al-Qaeda before the 9/11 attacks.
On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four passenger aircraft. Two crashed into the World Trade Centre's Twin Towers, another struck the Pentagon, while the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control of the plane.
