BIN LADEN'S WIFE, CHILDREN WITNESSED SHOOTING, ID'D BIN LADEN: SENIOR PAKISTANI INTEL OFFICIAL, May 2, 2011
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – A senior Pakistani intelligence official said one of Osama bin Laden's daughters had seen her father being shot dead by U.S. forces, and was one of about 10 relatives of the al Qaeda leader in custody pending interrogation.
The official, who declined to be identified, said the daughter, aged 12 or 13, was one of the people who had confirmed that the mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks had been killed by U.S. commandos in a raid early on Monday.
The relatives -- one of bin Laden's wives and up to eight children -- will be interrogated and then probably turned over to their countries of origin, and not the United States, in accordance with Pakistani law, he said.
The official said the wife and children were left behind after an American transport helicopter, possibly an MH-60 Sea Hawk, was abandoned because of mechanical problems.
He said there was not enough room for the group on the other helicopters, which were transporting bin Laden's body, other male captives and the commandos.
A small U.S. strike team dropped by helicopter to bin Laden's hide-out in Abbottabad, near the Pakistani capital Islamabad, and shot him dead.
The official, who declined to be identified, said the daughter, aged 12 or 13, was one of the people who had confirmed that the mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks had been killed by U.S. commandos in a raid early on Monday.
The relatives -- one of bin Laden's wives and up to eight children -- will be interrogated and then probably turned over to their countries of origin, and not the United States, in accordance with Pakistani law, he said.
The official said the wife and children were left behind after an American transport helicopter, possibly an MH-60 Sea Hawk, was abandoned because of mechanical problems.
He said there was not enough room for the group on the other helicopters, which were transporting bin Laden's body, other male captives and the commandos.
A small U.S. strike team dropped by helicopter to bin Laden's hide-out in Abbottabad, near the Pakistani capital Islamabad, and shot him dead.
People love conspiracy theories.
But here is a definitive statement from a source who would be privvy to inside information and is highly credible.
Conspiracy theories need no legitimate sources.
A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth puts on its pants.