Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defence and ex-CIA director spoke to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay as he discussed a range of issues including the circumstances involving the killing of Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan's role in the war on terror and China's military assertiveness including its role in the coronavirus crisis.

WION:&nbsp;Would you say President Donald Trump took a firmer and clearer stand on what his priorities were and who he thought was a sponsor of terror compared to President Obama who tried to always balance the two?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;When I was the director of the CIA, we conducted an operation to go after bin Laden in Pakistan. It was a very difficult mission and the President made a very tough decision to do that and as the director of the CIA, my primary role was to target terrorism whether it was in Afghanistan or Pakistan or in the Middle East and I had strong support from the President to do that.

At the same time, I think President Trump has been tough with regards&nbsp;to terrorism and&nbsp;ISIS and going after terrorist leaders. He's been willing to do that so I think the US generally has made it very clear that we will not tolerate terrorism that can be a potential risk to our country or to other countries.

WION:&nbsp;After all these years, when you say it out loud in so many words that the Pakistan government of the day was aware and was, in fact, harbouring Osama bin Laden...

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;When we discovered the location of this compound in Pakistan, it was located in a place called Abbottabad. Abbottabad is a centre for their intelligence services and the Pakistani West Point is located there as well. This compound was three times the size of other compounds and had 18-foot walls on one side and 12-foot walls on the other side with barbed wire around it. I find it very difficult to believe that there wasn't somebody in Pakistan who was aware of this compound...

WION:&nbsp;Was the Pakistani establishment then confronted with what you found?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;Once we found the compound, we had to make a decision whether we would share that information with Pakistan and the President made the decision that because when we shared information with Pakistan about the location of terrorists they were tipped off and suddenly were able to disappear because of that concern and that lack of trust very frankly we decided not to inform the Pakistanis about the location of bin Laden and we did not inform them about the operation that we conducted because we were concerned that if we did that it was likely bin Laden would be advised to move, so because of what we did I think we were able to be successful in the mission to go after bin Laden.

WION:&nbsp;It sounds like a serious trust deficit with a government that America has throughout called an ally in the war on terror. Did the US government inform any other country and was India on the list and what was the reaction from New Delhi?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;We had made a decision that if we were able to get bin Laden that rather than having him buried in Pakistan or elsewhere where it could become a shrine that we would bury him at sea and we did it in the Indian Ocean.

We advised countries of the fact that we would bury him in the Indian Ocean and India as always was very supportive. I think for my purposes both as director of the CIA and secretary of defence, I found India to be a very close ally in the effort to try to protect the security of both India and the United States

WION:&nbsp;Do you fear that Pakistan still harbours terrorists who pose a threat to the security of both the US and India?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;I don't think there's any question that Pakistan continues to have relationship with various terrorist groups. We were very concerned when we were fighting in Afghanistan, that there were terrorists who were coming across the border from Pakistan to attack our forces and we continued to complain to Pakistan that they had to take steps to prevent that from happening but they never really did. They also used terrorism as a vehicle to undermine stability not just in Afghanistan but also in India. I think the United States has expressed concern&nbsp;that Pakistan had to do more to deal with terrorism in their country.

WION:&nbsp;How does it help Mr. Panetta, when the US government after knowing everything that you have just told us gets Pakistan on board when it tries to negotiate peace in Afghanistan?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;Well that's a challenge and it always has been, I think. You know we have continued to try to work with Pakistan. When I was the CIA&nbsp;director, I tried to work with their intelligence services. When I was Secretary of Defense, I tried to work with their defence ministry but while there were those that did provide cooperation, the fact was there were many that maintained ties to terrorist networks. As a result, it's sometimes very difficult to trust Pakistan to be supportive of efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan or in that region.

WION:&nbsp;Does India not have any role in the Afghanistan peace process according to you and what role do you see for India apart from the developmental aid and all the work that the government is doing?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;It's important that countries in that region support this process and India has been supportive of the peace process and we have always found that India has been a very good partner to the United States in dealing with issues in that region.

WION:&nbsp;You have always advocated deeper defence ties between India and the US but there was a time when New Delhi was reluctant to be seen as a military ally of America. Things have changed now as the two countries call each other strategic allies and they are meeting in a matter of days for the Quad meeting and this is being seen as an alliance to counter China. What role do you see in this new strategic equation?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;I think it's extremely important. I believe the United States should continue to provide leadership in the world working with our allies. There are a number of areas where we need our allies whether it's in the Middle East dealing with Iran, whether it's in Asia dealing with North Korea, whether it's in Europe dealing with Russia and whether it's with India and the countries there dealing with China.

I think it's critical that countries that believe in democratic principles, that believe in the values of freedom and liberty and the ability to self-govern and the dignity of the individual, that those countries should work together when it comes to security.

I am concerned that there have been events on the China-India border that have occurred recently that raised the spectre of potential conflict and I think we have to make it very clear to China that the US will stand with India if there is any conflict in that region.

WION:&nbsp;How far do you think the US is prepared to go in the event of a conflict with China?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;I think that the United States owes it to our allies to be able to support them in any potential conflict. Now, how far we go whether we directly involve ourselves, I think that's going to be a question depending on China's actions and their intentions.&nbsp;

So far I believe China understands that a war is not in their interest, it's not in their economic interest, it's not in their country's interest but as we know when there is tension, mistakes are made and conflicts can erupt.

So, I think the United States will determine whether or not this is an aggressive action by China or whether this is an error of some sort by people along the border area to determine just exactly what role it will play in that type of conflict.

WION:&nbsp;Do you think the United States and other global institutions and leaders are doing enough to hold China accountable for what the world has suffered this year?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;No, I don’t. We are essentially in a Cold War with China and I think that China has taken steps to try to take advantage of opportunities because they view the United States as pulling back from responsibilities in the world whether it's trade or in other areas and they've taken advantage of that and they also continue their military aggressiveness in developing areas and militarising the islands in the South China Sea.

In the approach they've taken towards Hong Kong and Taiwan, they have been particularly aggressive, and we also have had a difficult relationship with regards to trade.

We expressed a tremendous amount of concern with China with regards to the failure to alert the world about COVID-19 and the dangers that all of us are now experiencing as a result.&nbsp;I think it's important to have a dialogue with China, I think it's important to continue to communicate with China's leaders but I think we have to do it from a position of strength.&nbsp;

I would say that to India and I would say that to others that deal with China. The only way you can deal with China is from a position of strength. That means maintaining our military strength and making it very clear that there are lines that China should not cross.

WION:&nbsp;Do you think India is doing that?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;I think the United States is making those points clear. I think India is making those points clear and I think that China will think twice about any aggression in that part of the world.

Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defence and ex-CIA director spoke to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay as he discussed a range of issues including the circumstances involving the killing of Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan's role in the war on terror and China's military assertiveness including its role in the coronavirus crisis.

Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defence and ex-CIA director spoke to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay as he discussed a range of issues including the circumstances involving the killing of Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan's role in the war on terror and China's military assertiveness including its role in the coronavirus crisis. WION: Would you say President Donald Trump took a firmer and clearer stand on what his priorities were and who he thought was a sponsor of terror compared to President Obama who tried to always balance the two? Leon Panetta: When I was the director of the CIA, we conducted an operation to go after bin Laden in Pakistan. It was a very difficult mission and the President made a very tough decision to do that and as the director of the CIA, my primary role was to target terrorism whether it was in Afghanistan or Pakistan or in the Middle East and I had strong support from the President to do that. At the same time, I think President Trump has been tough with regards to terrorism and ISIS and going after terrorist leaders. He's been willing to do that so I think the US generally has made it very clear that we will not tolerate terrorism that can be a potential risk to our country or to other countries. WION: After all these years, when you say it out loud in so many words that the Pakistan government of the day was aware and was, in fact, harbouring Osama bin Laden... Leon Panetta: When we discovered the location of this compound in Pakistan, it was located in a place called Abbottabad. Abbottabad is a centre for their intelligence services and the Pakistani West Point is located there as well. This compound was three times the size of other compounds and had 18-foot walls on one side and 12-foot walls on the other side with barbed wire around it. I find it very difficult to believe that there wasn't somebody in Pakistan who was aware of this compound... WION: Was the Pakistani establishment then confronted with what you found? Leon Panetta: Once we found the compound, we had to make a decision whether we would share that information with Pakistan and the President made the decision that because when we shared information with Pakistan about the location of terrorists they were tipped off and suddenly were able to disappear because of that concern and that lack of trust very frankly we decided not to inform the Pakistanis about the location of bin Laden and we did not inform them about the operation that we conducted because we were concerned that if we did that it was likely bin Laden would be advised to move, so because of what we did I think we were able to be successful in the mission to go after bin Laden. WION: It sounds like a serious trust deficit with a government that America has throughout called an ally in the war on terror. Did the US government inform any other country and was India on the list and what was the reaction from New Delhi? Leon Panetta: We had made a decision that if we were able to get bin Laden that rather than having him buried in Pakistan or elsewhere where it could become a shrine that we would bury him at sea and we did it in the Indian Ocean. We advised countries of the fact that we would bury him in the Indian Ocean and India as always was very supportive. I think for my purposes both as director of the CIA and secretary of defence, I found India to be a very close ally in the effort to try to protect the security of both India and the United States WION: Do you fear that Pakistan still harbours terrorists who pose a threat to the security of both the US and India? Leon Panetta: I don't think there's any question that Pakistan continues to have relationship with various terrorist groups. We were very concerned when we were fighting in Afghanistan, that there were terrorists who were coming across the border from Pakistan to attack our forces and we continued to complain to Pakistan that they had to take steps to prevent that from happening but they never really did. They also used terrorism as a vehicle to undermine stability not just in Afghanistan but also in India. I think the United States has expressed concern that Pakistan had to do more to deal with terrorism in their country. WION: How does it help Mr. Panetta, when the US government after knowing everything that you have just told us gets Pakistan on board when it tries to negotiate peace in Afghanistan? Leon Panetta: Well that's a challenge and it always has been, I think. You know we have continued to try to work with Pakistan. When I was the CIA director, I tried to work with their intelligence services. When I was Secretary of Defense, I tried to work with their defence ministry but while there were those that did provide cooperation, the fact was there were many that maintained ties to terrorist networks. As a result, it's sometimes very difficult to trust Pakistan to be supportive of efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan or in that region. WION: Does India not have any role in the Afghanistan peace process according to you and what role do you see for India apart from the developmental aid and all the work that the government is doing? Leon Panetta: It's important that countries in that region support this process and India has been supportive of the peace process and we have always found that India has been a very good partner to the United States in dealing with issues in that region. WION: You have always advocated deeper defence ties between India and the US but there was a time when New Delhi was reluctant to be seen as a military ally of America. Things have changed now as the two countries call each other strategic allies and they are meeting in a matter of days for the Quad meeting and this is being seen as an alliance to counter China. What role do you see in this new strategic equation? Leon Panetta: I think it's extremely important. I believe the United States should continue to provide leadership in the world working with our allies. There are a number of areas where we need our allies whether it's in the Middle East dealing with Iran, whether it's in Asia dealing with North Korea, whether it's in Europe dealing with Russia and whether it's with India and the countries there dealing with China. I think it's critical that countries that believe in democratic principles, that believe in the values of freedom and liberty and the ability to self-govern and the dignity of the individual, that those countries should work together when it comes to security. I am concerned that there have been events on the China-India border that have occurred recently that raised the spectre of potential conflict and I think we have to make it very clear to China that the US will stand with India if there is any conflict in that region. WION: How far do you think the US is prepared to go in the event of a conflict with China? Leon Panetta: I think that the United States owes it to our allies to be able to support them in any potential conflict. Now, how far we go whether we directly involve ourselves, I think that's going to be a question depending on China's actions and their intentions. So far I believe China understands that a war is not in their interest, it's not in their economic interest, it's not in their country's interest but as we know when there is tension, mistakes are made and conflicts can erupt. So, I think the United States will determine whether or not this is an aggressive action by China or whether this is an error of some sort by people along the border area to determine just exactly what role it will play in that type of conflict. WION: Do you think the United States and other global institutions and leaders are doing enough to hold China accountable for what the world has suffered this year? Leon Panetta: No, I don’t. We are essentially in a Cold War with China and I think that China has taken steps to try to take advantage of opportunities because they view the United States as pulling back from responsibilities in the world whether it's trade or in other areas and they've taken advantage of that and they also continue their military aggressiveness in developing areas and militarising the islands in the South China Sea. In the approach they've taken towards Hong Kong and Taiwan, they have been particularly aggressive, and we also have had a difficult relationship with regards to trade. We expressed a tremendous amount of concern with China with regards to the failure to alert the world about COVID-19 and the dangers that all of us are now experiencing as a result. I think it's important to have a dialogue with China, I think it's important to continue to communicate with China's leaders but I think we have to do it from a position of strength. I would say that to India and I would say that to others that deal with China. The only way you can deal with China is from a position of strength. That means maintaining our military strength and making it very clear that there are lines that China should not cross. WION: Do you think India is doing that? Leon Panetta: I think the United States is making those points clear. I think India is making those points clear and I think that China will think twice about any aggression in that part of the world.

Due to lack of trust we decided not to inform Pak about Osama bin Laden's location: Leon Panetta, ex-CIA director to WION

19 years ago, the world witnessed the most horrific terrorist attack. Nearly 3,000 people died in the 9/11 terrorist attack. In 2011, US Navy Seals killed its mastermind Osama Bin Laden. What happened to the Al Qaeda after Bin Laden's death?

Gravitas: 19 years after 9/11, Where is Al Qaeda?

The United States on Friday marks the 19th anniversary of the shocking 9/11 attack&nbsp;that was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

On September 11, 2001,&nbsp;19 men hijacked 4 fuel-loaded US commercial airplanes bound for west coast destinations. The operation was planned by&nbsp;Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-rebels-non-state-actors-have-enhanced-strike-capabilities-after-911-attack-250029">In pics- How militants, terrorists have enhanced strike capabilities post 9/11</a>

American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. 2,753 died after the two American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 planes slammed into the twin towers.&nbsp;

US Navy Seals killed Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan in 2011. FBI, CIA, and Pakistani intelligence worked together and&nbsp;captured Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in 2003 from a house outside Islamabad.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-confirms-death-of-al-qaeda-heir-hamza-bin-laden-249686">US President Donald Trump confirms death of al-Qaeda heir Hamza bin Laden</a>

The present chief of&nbsp;al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri hasn't achieved the household notoriety that&nbsp;bin Laden had.

Al-Qaeda is pursuing a strategy of silently rebuilding and forging alliances with regional groups that&nbsp;maintains affiliations across Africa, West Asia, and South Asia.

According to the Center&nbsp;of International Security and Cooperation, the group's leadership is based in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

As of 2018,&nbsp;it had anywhere between 32 thousand to 44 thousand members.&nbsp;Most fighters are believed to be in Africa.

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There could be 5,000 fighters in Libya, 4000 in Yemen,&nbsp;and at least 7000 in Somalia.&nbsp;At least 10 thousand fighters could be operating out of Syria.

The Council of Foreign Relations claims that the&nbsp;al Qaeda&nbsp;and its affiliates are active in Russia and the Indian subcontinent too.

Ayman al-Zawahiri has been able to prevent defections of senior leaders.&nbsp;This includes names like Saif al-Adel.&nbsp;A former Egyptian military colonel and explosives expert.

And Abu Mohammed al-Masri&nbsp;who masterminded the 1998 twin truck bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

As per the US,&nbsp;al-Zawahiri&nbsp;has a threat.&nbsp;America has placed a 25 million dollar bounty for his head but he has been absent for months leading many to speculate that he might be dead or incapacitated.&nbsp;

He has made only one appearance this year in a year to refute atheism.&nbsp;

The al-Qaeda has even tried to exploit the pandemic&nbsp;as well as the race protests in the United States. But the efforts failed to gain traction.

Last year, the US&nbsp;had claimed that the son of Osama bin laden, hamza, died in an operation.&nbsp;

Without a clear line of leadership,&nbsp;the future of al-Qaeda looks uncertain.

The United States on Friday marks the 19th anniversary of the shocking 9/11 attack that was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. On September 11, 2001, 19 men hijacked 4 fuel-loaded US commercial airplanes bound for west coast destinations.

The United States on Friday marks the 19th anniversary of the shocking 9/11 attack that was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. On September 11, 2001, 19 men hijacked 4 fuel-loaded US commercial airplanes bound for west coast destinations. The operation was planned by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Also see: In pics- How militants, terrorists have enhanced strike capabilities post 9/11 American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. 2,753 died after the two American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 planes slammed into the twin towers. US Navy Seals killed Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan in 2011. FBI, CIA, and Pakistani intelligence worked together and captured Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in 2003 from a house outside Islamabad. Also read: US President Donald Trump confirms death of al-Qaeda heir Hamza bin Laden The present chief of al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri hasn't achieved the household notoriety that bin Laden had. Al-Qaeda is pursuing a strategy of silently rebuilding and forging alliances with regional groups that maintains affiliations across Africa, West Asia, and South Asia. According to the Center of International Security and Cooperation, the group's leadership is based in Afghanistan and Pakistan. As of 2018, it had anywhere between 32 thousand to 44 thousand members. Most fighters are believed to be in Africa. × There could be 5,000 fighters in Libya, 4000 in Yemen, and at least 7000 in Somalia. At least 10 thousand fighters could be operating out of Syria. The Council of Foreign Relations claims that the al Qaeda and its affiliates are active in Russia and the Indian subcontinent too. Ayman al-Zawahiri has been able to prevent defections of senior leaders. This includes names like Saif al-Adel. A former Egyptian military colonel and explosives expert. And Abu Mohammed al-Masri who masterminded the 1998 twin truck bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. As per the US, al-Zawahiri has a threat. America has placed a 25 million dollar bounty for his head but he has been absent for months leading many to speculate that he might be dead or incapacitated. He has made only one appearance this year in a year to refute atheism. The al-Qaeda has even tried to exploit the pandemic as well as the race protests in the United States. But the efforts failed to gain traction. Last year, the US had claimed that the son of Osama bin laden, hamza, died in an operation. Without a clear line of leadership, the future of al-Qaeda looks uncertain.

Al-Qaeda confronting an uncertain future 19 years after 9/11 attack

The 2020 US Elections are fast approaching, with less than two months away from the day of voting. The US President Donald Trump has found support from an unusual admirer, the niece of Osama Bin Laden, who was the master mind behind the 9/11 terror attacks

Noor Bin Ladin recently suggested that only Donald Trump can save America from another 9/11. Noor Bin Ladin is currently an author based out of Switzerland, and spells her name differently than her infamous uncle. She also considers herself “an American at heart”.

Ladin recently gave her first-ever interview to the New York Post. She levelled some&nbsp; accusations against the Democrats, but was all praises for Donald Trump.

“ISIS proliferated under the Obama-Biden administration, leading to them coming to Europe”, she said.

“Trump has shown that he protects America and us, by extension from foreign threats..... By obliterating terrorists at the root and before they get a chance to strike”, she added.

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Osama Bin Laden endorsed Biden to see America fail. 
 
I endorse President Trump to see America succeed. 
 
🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/AtH51lEAMw">pic.twitter.com/AtH51lEAMw</a>
— Noor Bin Ladin (@NoorBinLadin) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoorBinLadin/status/1302324340613091333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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She then tweeted out “Osama Bin Laden endorsed Biden to see America fail..I endorse President Trump to see America succeed”.

Protests rage in the US

Meanwhile, anti-racism &amp; anti-Trump demonstrations continued in America over this weekend too.

Louisville, Kentucky has emerged as the latest flashpoint where armed vigilantes were spotted on the streets of this city on Saturday.

They were mostly members of NFAC, a Black militia group. They carried out a rally to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was killed in police firing in march.

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Five months later, protesters are still demanding action against the cops behind her killing. As they marched on the streets, another victim of police brutality put out a message that went viral within minutes.

The message was from Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old who was gravely wounded after cops fired 7-8 shots on his back. Speaking from his hospital bed for the first time since the shooting, Blake urged his supporters to change their lives.

He asked them to stick together, make some money, and not waste their time.

This was his message:&nbsp;“I just want to say, man, to all the young cast out there and even the older ones, older than me: there is a lot more life to live out here, man. Your life, and not only just your life, your legs, something that you need to move around and move forward in life -- can be taken from you like this, man, and I promise you the type of shit that you will go through... I got staples in my back, staples in my stomach. You do not want to have to deal with this shit, man. Twenty-four hours, every 24 hours, it's pain, it's nothing but pain. It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side-to-side, it hurts to eat. Please, I’m telling you, change your lives out there. We can stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out here, man, because there is so much time that has been wasted."

The 2020 US Elections are fast approaching, with less than two months away from the day of voting. The US President Donald Trump has found support from an unusual admirer, the niece of Osama Bin Laden, who was the master mind behind the 9/11 terror attacks Noor Bin Ladin recently suggested that only Donald Trump can save America from another 9/11.

The 2020 US Elections are fast approaching, with less than two months away from the day of voting. The US President Donald Trump has found support from an unusual admirer, the niece of Osama Bin Laden, who was the master mind behind the 9/11 terror attacks Noor Bin Ladin recently suggested that only Donald Trump can save America from another 9/11. Noor Bin Ladin is currently an author based out of Switzerland, and spells her name differently than her infamous uncle. She also considers herself “an American at heart”. Ladin recently gave her first-ever interview to the New York Post. She levelled some accusations against the Democrats, but was all praises for Donald Trump. “ISIS proliferated under the Obama-Biden administration, leading to them coming to Europe”, she said. “Trump has shown that he protects America and us, by extension from foreign threats..... By obliterating terrorists at the root and before they get a chance to strike”, she added. Osama Bin Laden endorsed Biden to see America fail. I endorse President Trump to see America succeed. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AtH51lEAMw — Noor Bin Ladin (@NoorBinLadin) September 5, 2020 × She then tweeted out “Osama Bin Laden endorsed Biden to see America fail..I endorse President Trump to see America succeed”. Protests rage in the US Meanwhile, anti-racism & anti-Trump demonstrations continued in America over this weekend too. Louisville, Kentucky has emerged as the latest flashpoint where armed vigilantes were spotted on the streets of this city on Saturday. They were mostly members of NFAC, a Black militia group. They carried out a rally to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was killed in police firing in march. × Five months later, protesters are still demanding action against the cops behind her killing. As they marched on the streets, another victim of police brutality put out a message that went viral within minutes. The message was from Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old who was gravely wounded after cops fired 7-8 shots on his back. Speaking from his hospital bed for the first time since the shooting, Blake urged his supporters to change their lives. He asked them to stick together, make some money, and not waste their time. This was his message: “I just want to say, man, to all the young cast out there and even the older ones, older than me: there is a lot more life to live out here, man. Your life, and not only just your life, your legs, something that you need to move around and move forward in life -- can be taken from you like this, man, and I promise you the type of shit that you will go through... I got staples in my back, staples in my stomach. You do not want to have to deal with this shit, man. Twenty-four hours, every 24 hours, it's pain, it's nothing but pain. It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side-to-side, it hurts to eat. Please, I’m telling you, change your lives out there. We can stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out here, man, because there is so much time that has been wasted."

Meet Donald Trump's latest admirer - Noor Bin Ladin, the niece of Osama Bin Laden

In her first ever interview, Osama bin Laden‘s niece has claimed that another 9/11-inspired attack could happen if Joe Biden is elected president, and she says only Donald Trump could prevent it.&nbsp; 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/expect-drive-thrus-stadiums-to-be-converted-to-in-person-polling-places-for-us-election-325456">Expect stadiums to be converted to in-person polling places for US election</a>

Noor bin Ladin, 33, warned that leftists in the US have aligned themselves with radicalism.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-not-trust-him-kamala-harris-on-donald-trumps-pre-election-vaccine-325471">Also read | 'Will not trust him': Kamala Harris on Donald Trump's pre-election vaccine</a> 
 
Noor bin Ladin, who spells her surname differently from her terrorist uncle said that "ISIS proliferated under the Obama/Biden administration, leading to them coming to Europe,”.

She explained her admiration for Donald Trump and why Americans are supposedly safer under his presidency and said "Trump has shown he protects America and us by extension from foreign threats by obliterating terrorists at the root and before they get a chance to strike."

"I had been going to the states with my mom several times a year from the age of three onwards," she said.

Bin Ladin went on to say she became a Trump supporter all the way back in 2015, when he announced his presidential bid.&nbsp;

"I have watched from afar and I admire this man’s resolve. He must be reelected," she said. "… It’s vital for the future of not only America, but western civilization as a whole."

(With inputs from agencies)

In her first ever interview, Osama bin Laden‘s niece has claimed that another 9/11-inspired attack could happen if Joe Biden is elected president, and she says only Donald Trump could prevent it.

In her first ever interview, Osama bin Laden‘s niece has claimed that another 9/11-inspired attack could happen if Joe Biden is elected president, and she says only Donald Trump could prevent it. Also read: Expect stadiums to be converted to in-person polling places for US election Noor bin Ladin, 33, warned that leftists in the US have aligned themselves with radicalism. Also read | 'Will not trust him': Kamala Harris on Donald Trump's pre-election vaccine Noor bin Ladin, who spells her surname differently from her terrorist uncle said that "ISIS proliferated under the Obama/Biden administration, leading to them coming to Europe,”. She explained her admiration for Donald Trump and why Americans are supposedly safer under his presidency and said "Trump has shown he protects America and us by extension from foreign threats by obliterating terrorists at the root and before they get a chance to strike." "I had been going to the states with my mom several times a year from the age of three onwards," she said. Bin Ladin went on to say she became a Trump supporter all the way back in 2015, when he announced his presidential bid. "I have watched from afar and I admire this man’s resolve. He must be reelected," she said. "… It’s vital for the future of not only America, but western civilization as a whole." (With inputs from agencies)

Another 9/11 could happen if Trump loses, says Osama bin Laden’s niece

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday rejected "absurd comments" by Pakistan accusing India of instigating attacks on Pakistan Stock Exchange building in Karachi early this week and said Islamabad cannot shift the blame on New Delhi for its domestic problems.

The ministry rather urged that Pakistan should reflect on the problems in their own country as well as the government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan who had himself called global terrorist Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr' while addressing the National Assembly.

"India rejects these absurd comments on terrorist attacks in Karachi. Pakistan cannot shift the blame on India for its domestic problems," said Anurag Srivastava, MEA spokesperson, on Pakistan accusing India of instigating Karachi attacks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-accuses-india-of-attacking-pakistan-stock-exchange-offers-no-evidence-309702">Also read:&nbsp;Imran Khan accuses India of attacking Pakistan Stock Exchange, offers no evidence</a>

"We would ask Pakistan that they may wish to reflect on this and on their own government's position including their Prime Minister's description of a global terrorist as a martyr," Srivastava added.

The Stock Exchange building came under attack on Monday morning as four terror suspects tried to storm into the building on Karachi's II Chundrigar Road. The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmod Qureshi had alleged that the clues of strike are leading towards sleeper cells activated by India.

Two security guards and a police officer were killed in the attack, along with all four suspected terrorists. Several people, including three police officials, have been injured, as per reports by Pakistan media.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday rejected "absurd comments" by Pakistan accusing India of instigating attacks on Pakistan Stock Exchange building in Karachi early this week and said Islamabad cannot shift the blame on New Delhi for its domestic problems.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday rejected "absurd comments" by Pakistan accusing India of instigating attacks on Pakistan Stock Exchange building in Karachi early this week and said Islamabad cannot shift the blame on New Delhi for its domestic problems. The ministry rather urged that Pakistan should reflect on the problems in their own country as well as the government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan who had himself called global terrorist Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr' while addressing the National Assembly. "India rejects these absurd comments on terrorist attacks in Karachi. Pakistan cannot shift the blame on India for its domestic problems," said Anurag Srivastava, MEA spokesperson, on Pakistan accusing India of instigating Karachi attacks. Also read: Imran Khan accuses India of attacking Pakistan Stock Exchange, offers no evidence "We would ask Pakistan that they may wish to reflect on this and on their own government's position including their Prime Minister's description of a global terrorist as a martyr," Srivastava added. The Stock Exchange building came under attack on Monday morning as four terror suspects tried to storm into the building on Karachi's II Chundrigar Road. The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmod Qureshi had alleged that the clues of strike are leading towards sleeper cells activated by India. Two security guards and a police officer were killed in the attack, along with all four suspected terrorists. Several people, including three police officials, have been injured, as per reports by Pakistan media.

MEA says Pak can't blame India for domestic problems; counters Khan for calling Laden as 'martyr'

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran khan's understanding of biology and geography was always pathetic.

Judging by the statments given by him in the past it appears that he probably bunked classes when he was a student because his&nbsp;understanding&nbsp;history is really poor.

To begin with the history of Islamic terrorism which can also be called the&nbsp;history of extremists and mass murderers.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-remain-in-fatfs-terror-financing-grey-list-report-308408">Pakistan to remain in FATF's terror financing 'grey list': Report</a>

Osama bin laden is probably the most dreaded terrorist this world has ever known.

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He was accused of engineering a number of terror attacks worldwide, particularly targeting the American installations including the 9/11 incident of 2001 when close to 3,000 people lost their lives when five planes were hijacked to target US cities.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-calls-osama-bin-laden-a-martyr-in-parliament-308587">Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr' in Parliament</a>

His violent campaign to recreate a medieval islamic empire redefined the threat of terrorism in the 21st century.

In 2011, he was traced to a safe haven in Pakistan's Abottabad and was gunned down.

While the world celebrated his death&nbsp;Pakistan mourned his loss.

And it seems the Pakistani Prime Minister was the most affected by his killing because for him&nbsp;the most wanted face of terrorism is a&nbsp;religious martyr.

In his speech at the parliament, he said, "we were very embarrassed when Americans came and killed Osama bin Laden at Abbottabad and martyred him."

If anything this is the biggest proof of how Pakistan eulogizes terrorism. However, this is not the first time that Imran Khan has acted as a terror apologist. He has shown his soft corner for Osama bin Laden several times in the past.

Coronavirus is spreading at a murderous pace in the country but Imran khan doesn't have much to say on the pandemic.

But his minister and&nbsp;PTI&nbsp;lawmaker Riaz Fatyana advised the government in the parliament to order scientific research on the consumption of locusts because apparently&nbsp;eating locusts can build immunity against the coronavirus.

The understanding of Covid-19 of Zartaj Gul Wahir, the minister of state for climate change in Pakistan&nbsp; defies all logic.

For her,&nbsp;the 19 in Covid-19 stands for 19 points. However, she did not not explain what do they exactly stand for

People need not go to far as where stupidity dwells, there is Pakistan. 
&nbsp;

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran khan's understanding of biology and geography was always pathetic. Judging by the statments given by him in the past it appears that he probably bunked classes when he was a student because his understanding history is really poor.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran khan's understanding of biology and geography was always pathetic. Judging by the statments given by him in the past it appears that he probably bunked classes when he was a student because his understanding history is really poor. To begin with the history of Islamic terrorism which can also be called the history of extremists and mass murderers. Also read| Pakistan to remain in FATF's terror financing 'grey list': Report Osama bin laden is probably the most dreaded terrorist this world has ever known. × He was accused of engineering a number of terror attacks worldwide, particularly targeting the American installations including the 9/11 incident of 2001 when close to 3,000 people lost their lives when five planes were hijacked to target US cities. Also read| Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr' in Parliament His violent campaign to recreate a medieval islamic empire redefined the threat of terrorism in the 21st century. In 2011, he was traced to a safe haven in Pakistan's Abottabad and was gunned down. While the world celebrated his death Pakistan mourned his loss. And it seems the Pakistani Prime Minister was the most affected by his killing because for him the most wanted face of terrorism is a religious martyr. In his speech at the parliament, he said, "we were very embarrassed when Americans came and killed Osama bin Laden at Abbottabad and martyred him." If anything this is the biggest proof of how Pakistan eulogizes terrorism. However, this is not the first time that Imran Khan has acted as a terror apologist. He has shown his soft corner for Osama bin Laden several times in the past. Coronavirus is spreading at a murderous pace in the country but Imran khan doesn't have much to say on the pandemic. But his minister and PTI lawmaker Riaz Fatyana advised the government in the parliament to order scientific research on the consumption of locusts because apparently eating locusts can build immunity against the coronavirus. The understanding of Covid-19 of Zartaj Gul Wahir, the minister of state for climate change in Pakistan defies all logic. For her, the 19 in Covid-19 stands for 19 points. However, she did not not explain what do they exactly stand for People need not go to far as where stupidity dwells, there is Pakistan.

Pakistan eulogizing terrorism: Prime Minister Imran Khan calls Bin Laden a 'martyr'

Pakistan's Prime Minister on Wednesday, while addressing the Parliament,&nbsp;called Osama Bin Laden a&nbsp;‘shaheed’ (martyr).

The usage of the word 'shaheed', which is usually used for soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the good of their nation, gathered a lot of criticism from the opposition leaders and the locals of Pakistan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-calls-osama-bin-laden-a-martyr-in-parliament-308587">Also read:&nbsp;Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr' in Parliament</a>

Opposition political leader Khawaja Asif, described Laden as the “ultimate terrorist” and said,&nbsp;“He destroyed my nation, and he (Khan) is calling him a martyr."

Mohsin Dawar, Member of Parliament and&nbsp;leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, also lashed back at the Prime Minister and reminded the PM about the numerous victims and soldiers who lost their lives due to the terrorist activities in the country.

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Today in NA, I asked <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a>, that if <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OBL</a> is a martyr then what about all the Pakistanis who became victims of his terrorism? What abt those soldiers who died fighting against his terror? Which side are our martyrs? Please stop these double games that've cost us 70K lives. <a href="https://t.co/Vv1emupP08">pic.twitter.com/Vv1emupP08</a>
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) <a href="https://twitter.com/mjdawar/status/1276231733881589761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Bilwal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of PPP, also said, "PM IK calling OBL a martyr in NA is consistent with his history of appeasement to violent extremism. It is during his govt that those involved in APS attack “escaped” &amp; those involved in Daniel Pearls murder get relief. Running with the hare &amp; hunting with the hound."

However, Khan's minister&nbsp;Dr. Shahbaz Gill tried to come to his defense by tweeting that the remarks were being misread with a "clear intent to make his remarks controversial unnecessarily."

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Referring to PM’s speech in NA today, it is clarified that PM twice used the word “killed” for OBL. An unwarranted attempt is being made at home/abroad with a clear intent to make his remarks controversial unnecessarily.
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SHABAZGIL/status/1276214755070337024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also took to Twitter to criticise the remark and said that the country was a victim of terrorst attacks caused due to Osama Bin Laden. "Because of him the country is in such a state and you are presenting him as a hero on the assembly floor?"

"Remember that Osama Bin Laden can be the PM's hero but not the nation's. He was and will remain a criminal of the state and the people," she tweeted.

Khan's statement came after the US issued a report claiming that Pakistan continues to serve as a safe haven for terrorist groups.

“While the report recognizes that al Qaeda has been seriously degraded in the region, it neglects to mention Pakistan’s crucial role in decimating al Qaeda, thereby diminishing the threat that the terrorist group once posed to the world,” a foreign office statement said on Thursday.

Pakistan's Prime Minister on Wednesday, while addressing the Parliament, called Osama Bin Laden a ‘shaheed’ (martyr). The usage of the word 'shaheed', which is usually used for soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the good of their nation, gathered a lot of criticism from the opposition leaders and the locals of Pakistan.

Pakistan's Prime Minister on Wednesday, while addressing the Parliament, called Osama Bin Laden a ‘shaheed’ (martyr). The usage of the word 'shaheed', which is usually used for soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the good of their nation, gathered a lot of criticism from the opposition leaders and the locals of Pakistan. Also read: Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr' in Parliament Opposition political leader Khawaja Asif, described Laden as the “ultimate terrorist” and said, “He destroyed my nation, and he (Khan) is calling him a martyr." Mohsin Dawar, Member of Parliament and leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, also lashed back at the Prime Minister and reminded the PM about the numerous victims and soldiers who lost their lives due to the terrorist activities in the country. Today in NA, I asked @ImranKhanPTI, that if #OBL is a martyr then what about all the Pakistanis who became victims of his terrorism? What abt those soldiers who died fighting against his terror? Which side are our martyrs? Please stop these double games that've cost us 70K lives. pic.twitter.com/Vv1emupP08 — Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) June 25, 2020 × Bilwal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of PPP, also said, "PM IK calling OBL a martyr in NA is consistent with his history of appeasement to violent extremism. It is during his govt that those involved in APS attack “escaped” & those involved in Daniel Pearls murder get relief. Running with the hare & hunting with the hound." However, Khan's minister Dr. Shahbaz Gill tried to come to his defense by tweeting that the remarks were being misread with a "clear intent to make his remarks controversial unnecessarily." Referring to PM’s speech in NA today, it is clarified that PM twice used the word “killed” for OBL. An unwarranted attempt is being made at home/abroad with a clear intent to make his remarks controversial unnecessarily. — Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) June 25, 2020 × PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also took to Twitter to criticise the remark and said that the country was a victim of terrorst attacks caused due to Osama Bin Laden. "Because of him the country is in such a state and you are presenting him as a hero on the assembly floor?" "Remember that Osama Bin Laden can be the PM's hero but not the nation's. He was and will remain a criminal of the state and the people," she tweeted. Khan's statement came after the US issued a report claiming that Pakistan continues to serve as a safe haven for terrorist groups. “While the report recognizes that al Qaeda has been seriously degraded in the region, it neglects to mention Pakistan’s crucial role in decimating al Qaeda, thereby diminishing the threat that the terrorist group once posed to the world,” a foreign office statement said on Thursday.

Opposition lashes out at Imran Khan for calling Laden a 'martyr'

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called the 9/11 mastermind and founder of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda Osama bin Laden a ‘shaheed’ (martyr) while speaking in the country’s Parliament.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-remain-in-fatfs-terror-financing-grey-list-report-308408">Also read: Pakistan to remain in FATF's terror-financing 'grey list'</a>

In his speech at the parliament, he said, "We were very embarrassed when Americans came and killed Osama bin Laden at Abbottabad and martyred him."

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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> refers to Osama Bin Laden as "shaheed" . 🤔👇👇👇 <a href="https://t.co/mvYyo5rbqu">pic.twitter.com/mvYyo5rbqu</a>
— Ehtesham Amir-ud-din (@Ehtesham_AD) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ehtesham_AD/status/1276124335271485440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Osama bin Laden was killed in a military operation by US Navy Seals in 2011 at the garrison town Abbottabad. He was accused of engineering a number of terror attacks worldwide, particularly targeting the American installations including the 9/11 incident of 2001 when close to 3,000 people lost their lives when five planes were hijacked to target US cities.

Meanwhile, a US government report on Wednesday blamed Pakistan for continuing to serve as a safe haven for terrorist groups and allowing outfits including the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed to operate from its territory.

The plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has decided to keep Pakistan on the terror "grey list".

Pakistan will reportedly continue to be in the grey list till February 2021, even if it completes all its action plan items by October 2020, reports said. ANI sources said that a FATF team would have to confirm completion of Action Plan with an on-site visit before it can put Pakistan out of the "grey list".

Blacklisting by the Paris-based financial action task force will be a big blow for Pakistan's economic reform programme leading to severe economic sanctions with the country already under strain due to the coronavirus pandemic.

(With input from agencies)

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called the 9/11 mastermind and founder of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda Osama bin Laden a ‘shaheed’ (martyr) while speaking in the country’s Parliament.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called the 9/11 mastermind and founder of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda Osama bin Laden a ‘shaheed’ (martyr) while speaking in the country’s Parliament. Also read: Pakistan to remain in FATF's terror-financing 'grey list' In his speech at the parliament, he said, "We were very embarrassed when Americans came and killed Osama bin Laden at Abbottabad and martyred him." PM @ImranKhanPTI refers to Osama Bin Laden as "shaheed" . 🤔👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/mvYyo5rbqu — Ehtesham Amir-ud-din (@Ehtesham_AD) June 25, 2020 × Osama bin Laden was killed in a military operation by US Navy Seals in 2011 at the garrison town Abbottabad. He was accused of engineering a number of terror attacks worldwide, particularly targeting the American installations including the 9/11 incident of 2001 when close to 3,000 people lost their lives when five planes were hijacked to target US cities. Meanwhile, a US government report on Wednesday blamed Pakistan for continuing to serve as a safe haven for terrorist groups and allowing outfits including the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed to operate from its territory. The plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has decided to keep Pakistan on the terror "grey list". Pakistan will reportedly continue to be in the grey list till February 2021, even if it completes all its action plan items by October 2020, reports said. ANI sources said that a FATF team would have to confirm completion of Action Plan with an on-site visit before it can put Pakistan out of the "grey list". Blacklisting by the Paris-based financial action task force will be a big blow for Pakistan's economic reform programme leading to severe economic sanctions with the country already under strain due to the coronavirus pandemic. (With input from agencies)

Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr' in Parliament

There was a massive uproar on social media when a cardboard cut of former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was spotted in the stands at Elland Road as the image went viral on Twitter. With matches being played behind closed doors as efforts continue to curb the spread of COVID-19, many clubs have used cardboard cuts of fans to fill out the empty seats.&nbsp;

After the photograph of bin Laden went viral, Leeds took quick action and have now removed the cardboard cutout of the former al Qaeda leader.&nbsp;

Leeds have said that they will “ensure there are no more offensive images” in the stands before Saturday’s game against Fulham.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/luka-romero-15-becomes-youngest-ever-liga-player-308442" hreflang="en">Luka Romero, 15, becomes youngest ever Liga player</a>

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Bin laden.. how can the staff be ok with displaying that regardless if it was paid for? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lufc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lufc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/crowdie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#crowdie</a> <a href="https://t.co/abpqkBA6Bt">pic.twitter.com/abpqkBA6Bt</a>
— Seb (@seb_marsden) <a href="https://twitter.com/seb_marsden/status/1275776906944819200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Bin Laden on the front row at Elland Road😂😂 <a href="https://t.co/5Pt2PLbpJf">pic.twitter.com/5Pt2PLbpJf</a>
— Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) <a href="https://twitter.com/AwayDays_/status/1275835223310307328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Fans sent in selfies to Leeds United for crowd boards while matches are played behind closed doors. Anyone recognise The supporter on the front row? (Someone sent Osama Bin Laden) 🤦‍♀️🤦 <a href="https://t.co/qRjdgdYjps">pic.twitter.com/qRjdgdYjps</a>
— Anonymous Journalist (@AnonymousJourn9) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnonymousJourn9/status/1275874223895064577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Some weird cardboard cuts have been spotted all across the world matches with Australian media recently reporting, earlier this month, that a cutout of British serial killer Harold Shipman was spotted in the stands in a match between Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League game.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-generation-of-liverpool-fans-prepares-for-title-glory-308439" hreflang="en">New generation of Liverpool fans prepares for title glory</a>

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Football have Bin Laden. Rugby League has Harold Shipman (in Australia!) <a href="https://t.co/KqiihZDl3A">pic.twitter.com/KqiihZDl3A</a>
— Phil Newsom (@Newsom_13) <a href="https://twitter.com/Newsom_13/status/1275830859195613185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

While artificial crowd sound has taken over the natural chants by fans in the stadiums, cardboard cuts and fans joining in via video-conference have become a new norm in the world of sports.

across sports have already said that feeling in front of empty stands doesn’t give the usual kick during matches but most of them are of the view that it should be continued unless it is safe to welcome the fans back in the stadiums.&nbsp;

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There was a massive uproar on social media when a cardboard cut of former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was spotted in the stands at Elland Road as the image went viral on Twitter.

There was a massive uproar on social media when a cardboard cut of former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was spotted in the stands at Elland Road as the image went viral on Twitter. With matches being played behind closed doors as efforts continue to curb the spread of COVID-19, many clubs have used cardboard cuts of fans to fill out the empty seats. After the photograph of bin Laden went viral, Leeds took quick action and have now removed the cardboard cutout of the former al Qaeda leader. Leeds have said that they will “ensure there are no more offensive images” in the stands before Saturday’s game against Fulham. ALSO READ: Luka Romero, 15, becomes youngest ever Liga player Bin laden.. how can the staff be ok with displaying that regardless if it was paid for? #lufc #crowdie pic.twitter.com/abpqkBA6Bt — Seb (@seb_marsden) June 24, 2020 × Bin Laden on the front row at Elland Road😂😂 pic.twitter.com/5Pt2PLbpJf — Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) June 24, 2020 × Fans sent in selfies to Leeds United for crowd boards while matches are played behind closed doors. Anyone recognise The supporter on the front row? (Someone sent Osama Bin Laden) 🤦‍♀️🤦 pic.twitter.com/qRjdgdYjps — Anonymous Journalist (@AnonymousJourn9) June 24, 2020 × Some weird cardboard cuts have been spotted all across the world matches with Australian media recently reporting, earlier this month, that a cutout of British serial killer Harold Shipman was spotted in the stands in a match between Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League game. ALSO READ: New generation of Liverpool fans prepares for title glory Football have Bin Laden. Rugby League has Harold Shipman (in Australia!) pic.twitter.com/KqiihZDl3A — Phil Newsom (@Newsom_13) June 24, 2020 × While artificial crowd sound has taken over the natural chants by fans in the stadiums, cardboard cuts and fans joining in via video-conference have become a new norm in the world of sports. across sports have already said that feeling in front of empty stands doesn’t give the usual kick during matches but most of them are of the view that it should be continued unless it is safe to welcome the fans back in the stadiums.

Leeds United remove Osama bin Laden cut out from stands after howler

Why India's forces are adopting 'grey zone warfare' as an art of war

Hafiz Saeed: The man behind global terrorism

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-receives-second-tranche-of-452-million-from-international-monetary-fund-270533">Pakistan</a> has arrested five suspected al Qaeda militants planning an attack on security personnel, authorities in the eastern state of Punjab said on Friday.

The raid in Gujranwala city hit an important media cell and financing network for the jihadists, Punjab's counter-terrorism department said. Laptops with encrypted data, cell phones, a printing press, explosives, five Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition and cash were found.

For years militants have held sway in remote northwestern regions on the Afghan border but some have also established networks in Punjab, Pakistan's richest and most populous province.

"They were planning an attack on law enforcement officials in Gujranwala," the police statement added, without giving more details on the plot.

The Gujranwala group recently relocated from Karachi and was running al Qaeda's media operations for the Indian subcontinent and sending funds to central leadership in Afghanistan, it added.

The Pakistan government says the number of militants in the country has decreased due to an army crackdown.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/al-qaeda-is-stronger-today-than-it-was-on-911-232726">Al Qaeda</a> founder Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US&nbsp;operation in 2011 in Pakistan.

Pakistan has arrested five suspected al Qaeda militants planning an attack on security personnel, authorities in the eastern state of Punjab said on Friday. The raid in Gujranwala city hit an important media cell and financing network for the jihadists, Punjab's counter-terrorism department said.

Pakistan has arrested five suspected al Qaeda militants planning an attack on security personnel, authorities in the eastern state of Punjab said on Friday. The raid in Gujranwala city hit an important media cell and financing network for the jihadists, Punjab's counter-terrorism department said. Laptops with encrypted data, cell phones, a printing press, explosives, five Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition and cash were found. For years militants have held sway in remote northwestern regions on the Afghan border but some have also established networks in Punjab, Pakistan's richest and most populous province. "They were planning an attack on law enforcement officials in Gujranwala," the police statement added, without giving more details on the plot. The Gujranwala group recently relocated from Karachi and was running al Qaeda's media operations for the Indian subcontinent and sending funds to central leadership in Afghanistan, it added. The Pakistan government says the number of militants in the country has decreased due to an army crackdown. Al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US operation in 2011 in Pakistan.

Pakistan seizes five suspected Al Qaeda militants

It would have been the right thing to do to capture Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi alive if it had been possible, the leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said on Wednesday.

Baghdadi died alongside three of his children by detonating an explosive-laden vest when he fled US forces during an attack in northwest Syria, US President Donald Trump said.

Corbyn, a long-time critic of US foreign policy who hopes to succeed Boris Johnson as Britain's prime minister after an election on Dec. 12, said people like Baghdadi needed to be put on trial at the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

"Him being removed from the scene is a very good thing," Corbyn told British radio station LBC.

"If it would have been possible to arrest him – and I don't know the details of the circumstances at the time, I’ve only seen various statements put out by the US about it - surely it would have been the right thing to do."

Corbyn told Iran's state-backed Press TV in 2011, before he was Labour leader, that the death of Osama bin Laden at the hands of the United States was a "tragedy", as there had been no attempt to arrest him and put him on trial.

Corbyn has faced regular criticism from political opponents for meeting members of Irish and Palestinian militant groups over the decades, and previously called members of Hamas and Hezbollah "friends".

It would have been the right thing to do to capture Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi alive if it had been possible, the leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said on Wednesday.

It would have been the right thing to do to capture Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi alive if it had been possible, the leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said on Wednesday. Baghdadi died alongside three of his children by detonating an explosive-laden vest when he fled US forces during an attack in northwest Syria, US President Donald Trump said. Corbyn, a long-time critic of US foreign policy who hopes to succeed Boris Johnson as Britain's prime minister after an election on Dec. 12, said people like Baghdadi needed to be put on trial at the International Court of Justice in the Hague. "Him being removed from the scene is a very good thing," Corbyn told British radio station LBC. "If it would have been possible to arrest him – and I don't know the details of the circumstances at the time, I’ve only seen various statements put out by the US about it - surely it would have been the right thing to do." Corbyn told Iran's state-backed Press TV in 2011, before he was Labour leader, that the death of Osama bin Laden at the hands of the United States was a "tragedy", as there had been no attempt to arrest him and put him on trial. Corbyn has faced regular criticism from political opponents for meeting members of Irish and Palestinian militant groups over the decades, and previously called members of Hamas and Hezbollah "friends".

Islamic State leader Baghdadi better captured alive: UK Labour's Corbyn

Elimination of 2 terrorists: Watch the difference in approaches of Trump and Obama. Watch video to know more.

Elimination of 2 terrorists: Watch the difference in approaches of Trump and Obama

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that joining the United States after 9/11 was the country's "biggest blunder" which led to the loss of many lives and cost Pakistan $200 billion.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that joining the United States after 9/11 was the country's "biggest blunder" which led to the loss of many lives and cost Pakistan $200 billion. The Pakistan prime minister speaking at the US Council on Foreign Relations, said, "Then came 9/11 and Pakistan again joined the US in the war against terror...Pakistan by joining the US after 9/11 committed biggest blunder. 70,000 Pakistanis died in this." When asked on whether there was any information of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden being in Pakistan, PM Imran Khan said, "As far as I know, Pakistani military chief, ISI chief had no idea about this" and if "there was, it was at a lower level." Osama was killed in Abbottabad, a town just 120 kilometres away from Islamabad on May 2, 2011, by American forces with fingers being pointed at Pakistan for providing him protection. Watch: Pakistan PM Imran Khan on failure of US-Taliban talks × On ties with New Delhi, Khan said, he told PM Modi, "let us have a new chapter" and "assured it is our policy that we will not allow any terrorist groups in Pakistan and we were dismantling from day one..let's base our relationship on trust." "But we found that India is pushing us to blacklist on Financial Action Task Force (FATF)," the Pakistan prime minister added. The plenary of FATF meet in October and could see a blacklisting for Islamabad if the country is not able to show concrete action taken by it on terror groups being hosted on its territory. FATF kept Pakistan on grey list in its June meeting, after failing to meet deadline two times, January and May 2019. Being on the greylist impacts the Pakistani economy which loses $10 billion annually.

Pakistan joining US after 9/11 was biggest blunder: PM Imran Khan in US

Pakistan's sham crackdown on terrorism was exposed yet again after a photo surfaced on social media showing ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) top political leaders sharing a stage with US-designated terrorist Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil.

The photo, which was shared by, journalist Asif Shahzad, is from All Parties Kashmir Solidarity Conference which was held in Islamabad on September 16.

The conference was attended by President of Pakistan occupied Kashmir Masood Khan and Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan among other prominent leaders. However, the presence of Khalil, a PTI leader and founder of the terrorist organisation Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), in the event meant to garner support for Kashmir was questionable.

India has long blamed Pakistan for fuelling terror and supporting terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir to create unrest in the region.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-aims-to-restart-afghan-peace-talks-250406">Imran Khan</a>'s party, which rose to power with a promise to not provide safe haven to terrorists, has been often blamed for supporting terrorist groups. Khan has been infamous as Taliban Khan for his staunch support to the terrorist group.

Khalil's organization HuM is said to have been in direct contact with Osama Bin Laden and his family when he was in Abbottabad and has been on the US State department's foreign terrorist organization list since 1997.

Khalil has been a strong supporter of Imran Khan and advocated for the latter's candidature as the Prime Minister of the country last year.

In March, Khan's government received a lot of backlash for including Khahil into the party.

The photo has emerged weeks before the crucial Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting where Pakistan's compliance with the action plan will be assessed and it fears blacklisting.

Pakistan has been under the FATF radar for its complicity towards terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) among others. In addition, terrorists like Hafiz Saeed are regularly seen ranting anti-India rhetoric and collecting so-called donations.

The FATF recently gave a stern message to Pakistan to expedite its action plan for curbing terror financing by October or face the prospect of getting blacklisted, which could aggravate problems for its stagnant economy.

Pakistan's sham crackdown on terrorism was exposed yet again after a photo surfaced on social media showing ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) top political leaders sharing a stage with US-designated terrorist Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil.

Pakistan's sham crackdown on terrorism was exposed yet again after a photo surfaced on social media showing ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) top political leaders sharing a stage with US-designated terrorist Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil. The photo, which was shared by, journalist Asif Shahzad, is from All Parties Kashmir Solidarity Conference which was held in Islamabad on September 16. The conference was attended by President of Pakistan occupied Kashmir Masood Khan and Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan among other prominent leaders. However, the presence of Khalil, a PTI leader and founder of the terrorist organisation Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), in the event meant to garner support for Kashmir was questionable. India has long blamed Pakistan for fuelling terror and supporting terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir to create unrest in the region. Imran Khan's party, which rose to power with a promise to not provide safe haven to terrorists, has been often blamed for supporting terrorist groups. Khan has been infamous as Taliban Khan for his staunch support to the terrorist group. Khalil's organization HuM is said to have been in direct contact with Osama Bin Laden and his family when he was in Abbottabad and has been on the US State department's foreign terrorist organization list since 1997. Khalil has been a strong supporter of Imran Khan and advocated for the latter's candidature as the Prime Minister of the country last year. In March, Khan's government received a lot of backlash for including Khahil into the party. The photo has emerged weeks before the crucial Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting where Pakistan's compliance with the action plan will be assessed and it fears blacklisting. Pakistan has been under the FATF radar for its complicity towards terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) among others. In addition, terrorists like Hafiz Saeed are regularly seen ranting anti-India rhetoric and collecting so-called donations. The FATF recently gave a stern message to Pakistan to expedite its action plan for curbing terror financing by October or face the prospect of getting blacklisted, which could aggravate problems for its stagnant economy.

Pakistan government leaders caught sharing stage with US-designated terrorist

US President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed that Hamza bin Laden, the son and designated heir of Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, was killed in a counter-terrorism operation along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Donald Trump confirms: 'Osama's son Hamza Bin Laden dead'

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U.S. Media Reports That Hamza Bin Laden Is Dead According to reports in the U.S. media, Osama Bin Laden's son Hamza Bin Laden is believed to be dead. Neither the U.S. government nor the Al-Qaeda has confirmed the story. But it could have huge ramifications, if true. Here's a report charting the life of Hamza Bin Laden

Gravitas: US media: Osama Bin Laden's son Hamza Bin Laden is dead

The reported death of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-believes-osama-bin-ladens-son-hamza-is-dead-official-239806">Osama bin Laden's son</a> and heir to the Al-Qaeda mantle is unlikely to do much damage to the jihadist group's resurgence, US terror experts said Thursday.

While Hamza bin Laden was being groomed as a leader of the group his father founded and led to notoriety with the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, his death would leave the Al-Qaeda's leadership under Ayman al-Zawahiri intact and able to continue plotting its comeback.

The circumstances of the younger Bin Laden's death, reported by NBC News and The New York Times Wednesday, citing anonymous US officials, remain a mystery, although he is believed to have been killed in the past two years.

The Times said he died in an air strike but had no information on when or where it happened, or if the US was involved. He is believed to have been in Afghanistan in recent years, but his demise has been wrongly reported more than once.&nbsp;

The US State Department offered a $1 million bounty for him in February, although various experts say he appears to have been dead already by then. Al-Qaeda itself has been silent. &nbsp;

"The only thing that I'm looking for is a eulogy from Al-Qaeda. It is very very rare that Al-Qaeda will not eulogize a leader," said Katherine Zimmerman, a terrorism expert at the American Enterprise Institute who could not independently confirm the death.

Chosen heir

Bin Laden, believed to be about 30, was singled out in 2000 as his father's potential heir. He was seen in videos from Afghanistan training with fighters and reciting "fiery" sermons and inspirational poetry, according to a biography by Ali Soufan, a former FBI counter-terrorism specialist.

He was sent for his safety to Iran after the 9/11 attacks, where he lived for a decade and was tutored by a top Al-Qaeda operative Saif al-Adel.

Letters found in Osama bin Laden's home in Abbottabad, Pakistan, after he was killed by US special forces in 2011 indicated he was awaiting Hamza's arrival to pitch in with leadership tasks.

Hamza emerged in 2015 in a series of videos, released over the following two years, encouraging followers to exercise "patience and deliberation" in planning attacks in the United States, Europe and elsewhere.

"He kind of became part of the senior leadership's voice, talking about the external global jihad and what Muslims should be doing to support the fight, what you think his father would be talking about," said Zimmerman.

There was no evidence however that he had graduated from his status as the group's leading messenger, targeting younger potential jihadists attracted by rival Islamic State. &nbsp;

Youth appeal

"My understanding is that Al-Qaeda put Hamza front and centre only in its propaganda mission, while he was learning the ropes of Al-Qaeda leadership," said Barak Mendelsohn, an associate professor and Al-Qaeda specialist at Haverford College in Pennsylvania.

"But it's not clear whether he actually got significant operational tasks."

Mendelsohn said Bin Laden would likely have been one of a number of younger cadres being groomed for the future, although his pedigree marked him out as special in life, and as an inspirational martyr now.

Bruce Hoffman, a counter-terrorism expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP Hamza bin Laden's death would not be a particular blow to Al-Qaeda.

Under Zawahiri the group is slowly rebuilding in disparate franchises from East Asia to West Africa, aiming to fill the vacuum left by the disintegration of the Islamic State, he said.

"He was an important character because of his familial lineage and also because of his age," Hoffman said.&nbsp;

According to Hoffman, the younger Bin Laden had the potential to draw in millennials and "Generation Z" -- &nbsp;youngsters born in the mid-1990s and early-2000s -- just as the Islamic State group does.&nbsp;

"Al-Qaeda survived the death of his father." the expert said.

"I am sure that it can manage adequately and survive the death of his son."

The reported death of Osama bin Laden's son and heir to the Al-Qaeda mantle is unlikely to do much damage to the jihadist group's resurgence, US terror experts said Thursday.

The reported death of Osama bin Laden's son and heir to the Al-Qaeda mantle is unlikely to do much damage to the jihadist group's resurgence, US terror experts said Thursday. While Hamza bin Laden was being groomed as a leader of the group his father founded and led to notoriety with the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, his death would leave the Al-Qaeda's leadership under Ayman al-Zawahiri intact and able to continue plotting its comeback. The circumstances of the younger Bin Laden's death, reported by NBC News and The New York Times Wednesday, citing anonymous US officials, remain a mystery, although he is believed to have been killed in the past two years. The Times said he died in an air strike but had no information on when or where it happened, or if the US was involved. He is believed to have been in Afghanistan in recent years, but his demise has been wrongly reported more than once. The US State Department offered a $1 million bounty for him in February, although various experts say he appears to have been dead already by then. Al-Qaeda itself has been silent. "The only thing that I'm looking for is a eulogy from Al-Qaeda. It is very very rare that Al-Qaeda will not eulogize a leader," said Katherine Zimmerman, a terrorism expert at the American Enterprise Institute who could not independently confirm the death. Chosen heir Bin Laden, believed to be about 30, was singled out in 2000 as his father's potential heir. He was seen in videos from Afghanistan training with fighters and reciting "fiery" sermons and inspirational poetry, according to a biography by Ali Soufan, a former FBI counter-terrorism specialist. He was sent for his safety to Iran after the 9/11 attacks, where he lived for a decade and was tutored by a top Al-Qaeda operative Saif al-Adel. Letters found in Osama bin Laden's home in Abbottabad, Pakistan, after he was killed by US special forces in 2011 indicated he was awaiting Hamza's arrival to pitch in with leadership tasks. Hamza emerged in 2015 in a series of videos, released over the following two years, encouraging followers to exercise "patience and deliberation" in planning attacks in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. "He kind of became part of the senior leadership's voice, talking about the external global jihad and what Muslims should be doing to support the fight, what you think his father would be talking about," said Zimmerman. There was no evidence however that he had graduated from his status as the group's leading messenger, targeting younger potential jihadists attracted by rival Islamic State. Youth appeal "My understanding is that Al-Qaeda put Hamza front and centre only in its propaganda mission, while he was learning the ropes of Al-Qaeda leadership," said Barak Mendelsohn, an associate professor and Al-Qaeda specialist at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. "But it's not clear whether he actually got significant operational tasks." Mendelsohn said Bin Laden would likely have been one of a number of younger cadres being groomed for the future, although his pedigree marked him out as special in life, and as an inspirational martyr now. Bruce Hoffman, a counter-terrorism expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP Hamza bin Laden's death would not be a particular blow to Al-Qaeda. Under Zawahiri the group is slowly rebuilding in disparate franchises from East Asia to West Africa, aiming to fill the vacuum left by the disintegration of the Islamic State, he said. "He was an important character because of his familial lineage and also because of his age," Hoffman said. According to Hoffman, the younger Bin Laden had the potential to draw in millennials and "Generation Z" -- youngsters born in the mid-1990s and early-2000s -- just as the Islamic State group does. "Al-Qaeda survived the death of his father." the expert said. "I am sure that it can manage adequately and survive the death of his son."

Hamza bin Laden's death no big blow to Al-Qaeda: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-believes-osama-bin-ladens-son-hamza-is-dead-official-239806">Osama bin Laden's son Hamza is dead, says US official</a>

The United States believes that&nbsp;Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, is dead, a US&nbsp;official said on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-iranian-foreign-minister-mohammad-javad-zarif-239805">US imposes sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif</a>

The United States on Wednesday&nbsp;imposed sanctions&nbsp;on Iranian Foreign Minister&nbsp;Mohammad Javad Zarif, targeting the country's top spokesman and potentially hurting chances of diplomatic talks amid rising tensions between the two countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-only-works-if-both-parties-comply-us-prepares-to-pull-out-from-inf-treaty-with-russia-239821">'It only works if both parties comply': US prepares to pull out from INF treaty with Russia</a>

The United States will officially withdraw from the&nbsp;Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces&nbsp;(INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia -&nbsp;and throwing China into the mix.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolton-says-north-korea-tests-didnt-violate-pledge-to-trump-but-no-word-on-talks-239809">US national security adviser Bolton says North Korea tests didn't violate pledge to Trump, but no word on talks</a>

US national security adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday North Korea's recent missile tests did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong-un made to President Donald Trump, but Pyongyang had yet to say when working-level talks on denuclearisation would resume.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-test-fired-new-rocket-system-under-kims-supervision-state-media-239815">North Korea test-fired new rocket system under Kim's supervision: State media</a>

North Korea has tested a new rocket system in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday.

&nbsp;

Osama bin Laden's son Hamza is dead, says US official The United States believes that Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, is dead, a US official said on Wednesday.

Osama bin Laden's son Hamza is dead, says US official The United States believes that Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, is dead, a US official said on Wednesday. US imposes sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, targeting the country's top spokesman and potentially hurting chances of diplomatic talks amid rising tensions between the two countries. 'It only works if both parties comply': US prepares to pull out from INF treaty with Russia The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix. US national security adviser Bolton says North Korea tests didn't violate pledge to Trump, but no word on talks US national security adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday North Korea's recent missile tests did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong-un made to President Donald Trump, but Pyongyang had yet to say when working-level talks on denuclearisation would resume. North Korea test-fired new rocket system under Kim's supervision: State media North Korea has tested a new rocket system in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The United States believes that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-adds-osama-bin-ladens-son-to-its-seeking-more-information-list-217428">Hamza bin Laden</a>, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, is dead, a US&nbsp;official said on Wednesday.

The US&nbsp;official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, provided no further details, including when Hamza died or where.

President Donald Trump earlier on Wednesday declined to comment after NBC News first reported the US&nbsp;assessment. Asked if he had intelligence that bin Laden's son had been killed, Trump told reporters: "I don't want to comment on it."

Separately, the White House declined to comment on whether an announcement was imminent.

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Hamza, believed to be about 30 years old, was at his father's side in Afghanistan before September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and spent time with him in Pakistan after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan pushed much of al Qaeda's senior leadership there, according to the Brookings Institution.

Osama bin Laden was killed by US&nbsp;special forces who raided his compound in Pakistan in 2011. Hamza was thought to be under house arrest in Iran at the time, and documents recovered from the compound indicated that aides had been trying to reunite him with his father.

The New York Times reported that the United States had a role in the operation that led to Hamza's death, which it said took place in the past two years. Reuters could not immediately verify those details.

Still, the US&nbsp;government's conclusion appears to be a recent one. In February, the State Department said it was offering a reward of up to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-offers-1-million-reward-to-find-bin-laden-son-200368">$1 million</a> for information leading "to the identification or location in any country" of Hamza, calling him a key al Qaeda leader.

Introduced by al Qaeda's chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in an audio message in 2015, Hamza provided a younger voice for the group whose ageing leaders have struggled to inspire militants around the world galvanized by Islamic State, according to analysts.

Hamza has called for acts of terrorism in Western capitals and threatened to take revenge against the United States for his father's killing, the U.S. State Department said in 2017 when it designated him as a global terrorist.

He also threatened to target Americans abroad and urged tribal groups in Saudi Arabia to unite with Yemen's al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to fight against Saudi Arabia, it said.

In March, Saudi Arabia announced it had stripped Hamza bin Laden of his citizenship, saying the decision was made by royal order in November 2018.

The United States believes that Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, is dead, a US official said on Wednesday.

The United States believes that Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, is dead, a US official said on Wednesday. The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, provided no further details, including when Hamza died or where. President Donald Trump earlier on Wednesday declined to comment after NBC News first reported the US assessment. Asked if he had intelligence that bin Laden's son had been killed, Trump told reporters: "I don't want to comment on it." Separately, the White House declined to comment on whether an announcement was imminent. × Hamza, believed to be about 30 years old, was at his father's side in Afghanistan before September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and spent time with him in Pakistan after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan pushed much of al Qaeda's senior leadership there, according to the Brookings Institution. Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces who raided his compound in Pakistan in 2011. Hamza was thought to be under house arrest in Iran at the time, and documents recovered from the compound indicated that aides had been trying to reunite him with his father. The New York Times reported that the United States had a role in the operation that led to Hamza's death, which it said took place in the past two years. Reuters could not immediately verify those details. Still, the US government's conclusion appears to be a recent one. In February, the State Department said it was offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading "to the identification or location in any country" of Hamza, calling him a key al Qaeda leader. Introduced by al Qaeda's chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in an audio message in 2015, Hamza provided a younger voice for the group whose ageing leaders have struggled to inspire militants around the world galvanized by Islamic State, according to analysts. Hamza has called for acts of terrorism in Western capitals and threatened to take revenge against the United States for his father's killing, the U.S. State Department said in 2017 when it designated him as a global terrorist. He also threatened to target Americans abroad and urged tribal groups in Saudi Arabia to unite with Yemen's al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to fight against Saudi Arabia, it said. In March, Saudi Arabia announced it had stripped Hamza bin Laden of his citizenship, saying the decision was made by royal order in November 2018.

Osama bin Laden's son Hamza dead: Report

The US media on Wednesday cited American officials and announced the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/al-qaidas-post-osama-strategy-humza-bin-ladens-voice-used-to-blunt-islamic-state-239867">death of Osama bin Laden's son Hamza&nbsp;bin Laden</a>.

The fifteenth child of Osama bin Laden's 20 children, Hamza&nbsp;provided a younger voice for the group whose ageing leaders have struggled to "inspire" terrorists around the world galvanised by Islamic State, according to analysts.

Here's taking a look at the life and times of Hamza's father Osama bin Laden.

Born in a prosperous family

Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1957 in a prosperous family.

He was the seventh of the 50 children born to Muhammad bin Laden and the only son born to his mother Alia Ghanem.

After her split with Mohammad Awad bin Laden, Osama's mother took him and lived with her new husband. Osama, therefore, spent most of his childhood with his step-siblings. 
&nbsp; 
He attended the most prestigious school of Jedda, Al Thagher Model School. At 14, he emerged as an outstanding student in his school.

Due to his brilliant performance in studies, Osama was invited to join a small Islamic study group. He attended the Islamic group along with several other boys from imminent Jedda family.

According to reports, it was this&nbsp;place&nbsp;which first sowed the seeds of violent jihad in Osama. During this period Laden grew untrimmed beards and imitated Prophet's dress.

US hailed Osama bin Laden, called him&nbsp;Freedom Fighter

Osama who laid the plot for the deadly 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre was once referred to as "Freedom Fighter" by the United States in 1989.

The event traces back to the Soviet Union's invasion in Afghanistan. Osama who believed it was his duty as a Muslim to help the country, moved to Afghanistan from Saudi Arabia and joined the Afghan forces in 1979.

He also trained mujahideen, a group of Islamic jihadists here.

After the Soviets withdrew from the country in 1989, Osama returned to Saudi Arabia as a hero and the United States referred to him as "Freedom Fighters".

Stripped off his citizenship

The once-celebrated Osama bin Laden was sent out of his country in 1992.

During the Persian Gulf War, Osama&nbsp;was provoked by the US occupation of Saudi Arabia and entered into conflict with the government charging them of corruption. He also publicly denounced the Saudi government's reliance on American troops. Eventually, he ended up going to an exile in Sudan in 1992.

By 1993, Osama bin Laden had formed a secret group called Al-Qaeda. The group comprising of militant Muslims aimed at taking up jihadist cause across the world.

Over the years Al-Qaeda organised several global attacks. Due to his continuous involvement in extremist jihadist, Saudi Arabia stripped off his citizenship in 1994 and also confiscated his passport. Osama was also disowned by his family.&nbsp;

His war against the US increased over the years. In 1996, he detonated bombs against US-occupied forces in Saudi Arabia. The group continued to organise several attacks against the US in the next few years.&nbsp;

War against humanity

Due to the rising war against humanity, Sudan also exiled him in 1996. Thereafter Osama took refuge in Afghanistan where he received aid and protection from country's militant group Taliban. After his engagement with the Taliban, Osama declared a holy war against the US.

Osama bin Laden led group conducted one of the most deadly attacks on the US on September 11, 2001. The attack claimed the lives of over thousands of civilians.

After the attack, Osama went into hiding for over 10 years. A decade after the attack, the then US President Barack Obama announced on May 2, 2011, about the killing of Osama in Pakistan's Abbottabad.

The US media on Wednesday cited American officials and announced the death of Osama bin Laden's son Hamza bin Laden. The fifteenth child of Osama bin Laden's 20 children, Hamza provided a younger voice for the group whose ageing leaders have struggled to "inspire" terrorists around the world galvanised by Islamic State, according to analysts.

The US media on Wednesday cited American officials and announced the death of Osama bin Laden's son Hamza bin Laden. The fifteenth child of Osama bin Laden's 20 children, Hamza provided a younger voice for the group whose ageing leaders have struggled to "inspire" terrorists around the world galvanised by Islamic State, according to analysts. Here's taking a look at the life and times of Hamza's father Osama bin Laden. Born in a prosperous family Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1957 in a prosperous family. He was the seventh of the 50 children born to Muhammad bin Laden and the only son born to his mother Alia Ghanem. After her split with Mohammad Awad bin Laden, Osama's mother took him and lived with her new husband. Osama, therefore, spent most of his childhood with his step-siblings. He attended the most prestigious school of Jedda, Al Thagher Model School. At 14, he emerged as an outstanding student in his school. Due to his brilliant performance in studies, Osama was invited to join a small Islamic study group. He attended the Islamic group along with several other boys from imminent Jedda family. According to reports, it was this place which first sowed the seeds of violent jihad in Osama. During this period Laden grew untrimmed beards and imitated Prophet's dress. US hailed Osama bin Laden, called him Freedom Fighter Osama who laid the plot for the deadly 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre was once referred to as "Freedom Fighter" by the United States in 1989. The event traces back to the Soviet Union's invasion in Afghanistan. Osama who believed it was his duty as a Muslim to help the country, moved to Afghanistan from Saudi Arabia and joined the Afghan forces in 1979. He also trained mujahideen, a group of Islamic jihadists here. After the Soviets withdrew from the country in 1989, Osama returned to Saudi Arabia as a hero and the United States referred to him as "Freedom Fighters". Stripped off his citizenship The once-celebrated Osama bin Laden was sent out of his country in 1992. During the Persian Gulf War, Osama was provoked by the US occupation of Saudi Arabia and entered into conflict with the government charging them of corruption. He also publicly denounced the Saudi government's reliance on American troops. Eventually, he ended up going to an exile in Sudan in 1992. By 1993, Osama bin Laden had formed a secret group called Al-Qaeda. The group comprising of militant Muslims aimed at taking up jihadist cause across the world. Over the years Al-Qaeda organised several global attacks. Due to his continuous involvement in extremist jihadist, Saudi Arabia stripped off his citizenship in 1994 and also confiscated his passport. Osama was also disowned by his family. His war against the US increased over the years. In 1996, he detonated bombs against US-occupied forces in Saudi Arabia. The group continued to organise several attacks against the US in the next few years. War against humanity Due to the rising war against humanity, Sudan also exiled him in 1996. Thereafter Osama took refuge in Afghanistan where he received aid and protection from country's militant group Taliban. After his engagement with the Taliban, Osama declared a holy war against the US. Osama bin Laden led group conducted one of the most deadly attacks on the US on September 11, 2001. The attack claimed the lives of over thousands of civilians. After the attack, Osama went into hiding for over 10 years. A decade after the attack, the then US President Barack Obama announced on May 2, 2011, about the killing of Osama in Pakistan's Abbottabad.

Profile of slain Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden

A resolution recently tabled by two Republican senators recommitting the US` "continuing support" to Pakistan is not only an insult to American servicemen who laid down their lives while fighting in Afghanistan but is also in contrast with goals of US national security.

In an opinion piece for Washington Examiner, Michael Rubin examines how lobbying was at play behind tabling of the resolution and underlines how Pakistan continues to harbour and support terrorists.

Senators Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Jim Banks of Indiana had introduced the resolution in the House of Representatives welcoming Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Washington and reiterating the US` stand to "continuing support and commitment to the long and enduring friendship between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan."

"Pakistan and the United States have a shared interest and are cooperating in efforts to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan," the resolution reads.

However, the resolution adopted is a far cry from Pakistan`s realities, considering that it continues to harbour, shield and support terror-groups operating on its soil and consistently undermining Afghanistan`s security and stability writes Rubin.

The writer of the article also recalls an open letter written by Khan in 2009. In that letter addressed to then US President Barack Obama, Khan had said that the US is an "occupying power" in Afghanistan and opined that the Taliban group is the legitimate government in the war-torn nation.

Khan also pointed fingers at Obama for a "supposed al Qaeda resurgence" in Afghanistan owing to US` presence, which ironically, came at a time when Pakistan was sheltering Al Qaeda founder chief Osama bin Laden, who was killed in a raid by US special forces at his private compound in the garrison town of Abbottabad in 2011.

When Laden was killed, Khan had claimed that Washington`s action was a breach of the UN Charter. In a fundraising visit to the US in 2012, Khan heaped praises on Taliban and justified the group`s "jihad in Afghanistan."

"Khan`s followers have worked to prevent vital resupply of US and NATO troops fighting the Taliban. Blocking NATO supply through Pakistan in contravention of a diplomatic and contractual agreement which saw aid and fees flood into Pakistani accounts was a position directed by Khan himself," Rubin notes.

''The Jackson Lee-Banks resolution urges greater investment in Pakistan, but it was again Khan who argued that taking American money made Pakistan a `stooge.` Khan may seek money, but his track record over a long career suggests that humiliating the United States and promoting its assailants is his chief goal," the author opines.

Moreover, Rubin says that Pakistan`s Inter-Services Intelligence agency and political elites in the country have long believed that using religious radicalism as a tool of foreign policy for achieving Islamabad`s short-term goals.

"The elite bubbles in which Khan has lived his life are wrong, however. Religious radicalism may well be past the tipping point in Pakistan, and may very well be a danger that risks overwhelming more traditional Pakistani politics and moderation," the writer warns.

To embrace Khan "sycophantically" and ignoring the fact that the policies he adopted and continuing to embrace them has led to the deaths of over 2,000 American servicemen and an exponentially higher number of Afghan civilians, says Rubin.

Criticising Lee and Banks for their resolution, the author says that the duo could have spoken the truth to Khan, if they "really cared" about the country, rather than allowing Islamabad "a free pass to launder it position papers through Congress".Rubin concludes in his article, "The Jackson Lee-Banks resolution suggests a dangerous lack of strategic vision in both parties and a failure on Capitol Hill to honour the legacy and sacrifice of American troops who have made so many sacrifices to promote a better future in Afghanistan and keep al Qaeda on the run.

A resolution recently tabled by two Republican senators recommitting the US` "continuing support" to Pakistan is not only an insult to American servicemen who laid down their lives while fighting in Afghanistan but is also in contrast with goals of US national security.

A resolution recently tabled by two Republican senators recommitting the US` "continuing support" to Pakistan is not only an insult to American servicemen who laid down their lives while fighting in Afghanistan but is also in contrast with goals of US national security. In an opinion piece for Washington Examiner, Michael Rubin examines how lobbying was at play behind tabling of the resolution and underlines how Pakistan continues to harbour and support terrorists. Senators Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Jim Banks of Indiana had introduced the resolution in the House of Representatives welcoming Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Washington and reiterating the US` stand to "continuing support and commitment to the long and enduring friendship between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan." "Pakistan and the United States have a shared interest and are cooperating in efforts to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan," the resolution reads. However, the resolution adopted is a far cry from Pakistan`s realities, considering that it continues to harbour, shield and support terror-groups operating on its soil and consistently undermining Afghanistan`s security and stability writes Rubin. The writer of the article also recalls an open letter written by Khan in 2009. In that letter addressed to then US President Barack Obama, Khan had said that the US is an "occupying power" in Afghanistan and opined that the Taliban group is the legitimate government in the war-torn nation. Khan also pointed fingers at Obama for a "supposed al Qaeda resurgence" in Afghanistan owing to US` presence, which ironically, came at a time when Pakistan was sheltering Al Qaeda founder chief Osama bin Laden, who was killed in a raid by US special forces at his private compound in the garrison town of Abbottabad in 2011. When Laden was killed, Khan had claimed that Washington`s action was a breach of the UN Charter. In a fundraising visit to the US in 2012, Khan heaped praises on Taliban and justified the group`s "jihad in Afghanistan." "Khan`s followers have worked to prevent vital resupply of US and NATO troops fighting the Taliban. Blocking NATO supply through Pakistan in contravention of a diplomatic and contractual agreement which saw aid and fees flood into Pakistani accounts was a position directed by Khan himself," Rubin notes. ''The Jackson Lee-Banks resolution urges greater investment in Pakistan, but it was again Khan who argued that taking American money made Pakistan a `stooge.` Khan may seek money, but his track record over a long career suggests that humiliating the United States and promoting its assailants is his chief goal," the author opines. Moreover, Rubin says that Pakistan`s Inter-Services Intelligence agency and political elites in the country have long believed that using religious radicalism as a tool of foreign policy for achieving Islamabad`s short-term goals. "The elite bubbles in which Khan has lived his life are wrong, however. Religious radicalism may well be past the tipping point in Pakistan, and may very well be a danger that risks overwhelming more traditional Pakistani politics and moderation," the writer warns. To embrace Khan "sycophantically" and ignoring the fact that the policies he adopted and continuing to embrace them has led to the deaths of over 2,000 American servicemen and an exponentially higher number of Afghan civilians, says Rubin. Criticising Lee and Banks for their resolution, the author says that the duo could have spoken the truth to Khan, if they "really cared" about the country, rather than allowing Islamabad "a free pass to launder it position papers through Congress".Rubin concludes in his article, "The Jackson Lee-Banks resolution suggests a dangerous lack of strategic vision in both parties and a failure on Capitol Hill to honour the legacy and sacrifice of American troops who have made so many sacrifices to promote a better future in Afghanistan and keep al Qaeda on the run.

Pro-Pak congressional resolution contrary to national security, insults US servicemen

Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI provided information to the CIA which helped the US track down and kill al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday in a significant revelation as Islamabad had so far denied having any knowledge of the terror chief until he was shot dead in 2011.

Major embarrassment For Pakistan On Osama Bin Laden

Pakistan's main spy agency provided the US with a lead that helped them find and kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/could-win-afghanistan-war-in-a-week-or-ten-days-but-chose-not-to-do-so-says-donald-trump-in-meeting-with-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-237798">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> said Monday.

Pakistan has officially denied having any knowledge of the terror chief until he was shot dead in a night-time raid by US special forces on May 2, 2011, an incident that was a major national embarrassment and caused ties between the two countries to plummet.

Khan, who is visiting Washington on his first official trip, made his claim in an interview with Fox News when he was asked whether his country would release a jailed doctor whose fake immunisation drive helped the US track and kill the terror chief in 2011.

"This is a very emotive issue because Shakeel Afridi in Pakistan is considered a spy," he told host Bret Baier, referring to the doctor.&nbsp;

"We in Pakistan always felt that we were an ally of the US and if we had been given the information about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-adds-osama-bin-ladens-son-to-its-seeking-more-information-list-217428">Osama Bin Laden</a>, we should have taken him out."

Baier then asked if Khan understood the scepticism around the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) for leaking key information, to which Khan replied:

"And yet it was ISI that gave the information which led to the location of Osama Bin Laden.

"If you ask CIA it was ISI which gave the initial location through the phone connection."

It was not immediately clear what Khan was referring to and he did not provide more detail.

"Governance implosion syndrome"

Though Pakistan officially denies knowing that Bin Laden was living on its territory, Asad Durrani, a former spymaster, told Al Jazeera in 2015 that the ISI probably knew where he was hiding and hoped to use him as a bargaining chip before he was killed.

The Al-Qaeda chief was tracked down after a 10-year manhunt to Abbottabad, a garrison town north of Islamabad where Pakistan's military academy is headquartered, sparking allegations authorities were colluding with the terror group.

A leaked Pakistani government report in 2013 said Bin Laden arrived in Pakistan in the spring or summer of 2002 -- after the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan -- and settled in Abbottabad in August 2005.

The report, which coined the term "governance implosion syndrome" to explain the extent of official failures to detect him, said he was once stopped for speeding and enjoyed wearing a cowboy hat.

Two former senior Pakistani military officials told AFP in 2015 that a defector from Pakistani intelligence assisted the US in its hunt for Osama bin Laden, but denied the two countries had officially worked together.

Pakistan's main spy agency provided the US with a lead that helped them find and kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday. Pakistan has officially denied having any knowledge of the terror chief until he was shot dead in a night-time raid by US special forces on May 2, 2011, an incident that was a major national embarrassment and caused ties between the two countries to plummet.

Pakistan's main spy agency provided the US with a lead that helped them find and kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday. Pakistan has officially denied having any knowledge of the terror chief until he was shot dead in a night-time raid by US special forces on May 2, 2011, an incident that was a major national embarrassment and caused ties between the two countries to plummet. Khan, who is visiting Washington on his first official trip, made his claim in an interview with Fox News when he was asked whether his country would release a jailed doctor whose fake immunisation drive helped the US track and kill the terror chief in 2011. "This is a very emotive issue because Shakeel Afridi in Pakistan is considered a spy," he told host Bret Baier, referring to the doctor. "We in Pakistan always felt that we were an ally of the US and if we had been given the information about Osama Bin Laden, we should have taken him out." Baier then asked if Khan understood the scepticism around the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) for leaking key information, to which Khan replied: "And yet it was ISI that gave the information which led to the location of Osama Bin Laden. "If you ask CIA it was ISI which gave the initial location through the phone connection." It was not immediately clear what Khan was referring to and he did not provide more detail. "Governance implosion syndrome" Though Pakistan officially denies knowing that Bin Laden was living on its territory, Asad Durrani, a former spymaster, told Al Jazeera in 2015 that the ISI probably knew where he was hiding and hoped to use him as a bargaining chip before he was killed. The Al-Qaeda chief was tracked down after a 10-year manhunt to Abbottabad, a garrison town north of Islamabad where Pakistan's military academy is headquartered, sparking allegations authorities were colluding with the terror group. A leaked Pakistani government report in 2013 said Bin Laden arrived in Pakistan in the spring or summer of 2002 -- after the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan -- and settled in Abbottabad in August 2005. The report, which coined the term "governance implosion syndrome" to explain the extent of official failures to detect him, said he was once stopped for speeding and enjoyed wearing a cowboy hat. Two former senior Pakistani military officials told AFP in 2015 that a defector from Pakistani intelligence assisted the US in its hunt for Osama bin Laden, but denied the two countries had officially worked together.

Pakistani intelligence led CIA to Osama Bin Laden: Imran Khan

The FBI on Thursday added Hamza bin Laden, son of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/masood-azhar-getting-designated-as-global-terrorist-big-win-for-bjp-adityanath-216664&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjw-u-cqZDiAhUM4o8KHVl-B8A4HhAWMAJ6BAgQEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw235l6kfG98KWXy1Hxseuu-">slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden</a> to its Seeking More Information List (SMIL).

This comes after the US had announced a $1 million reward for information on Hamza bin Laden`s whereabouts.

"Hamza bin Laden is wanted for questioning in connection with his membership in the Al Qaeda organisation and his public declarations threatening the security of the United States," the FBI said in a statement.

He has ties to and may be located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria or Iran and is known to speak Arabic, it added. The US designated Hamza bin Laden as a "global terrorist" in 2017.

In March, the State Department had said that it would offer a reward of $1 million for information on Hamza bin Laden.

Investigators believe that Hamza bin Laden is married to the daughter of al-Qaeda senior leader Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, aka Abu Muhammad al Masri, who has been indicted for his alleged involvement on August 7, 1998 bombings of the US Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. It is worth mentioning that Saudi Arabia had earlier revoked Hamza bin Laden`s citizenship.

The FBI on Thursday added Hamza bin Laden, son of slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden to its Seeking More Information List (SMIL). This comes after the US had announced a $1 million reward for information on Hamza bin Laden`s whereabouts.

The FBI on Thursday added Hamza bin Laden, son of slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden to its Seeking More Information List (SMIL). This comes after the US had announced a $1 million reward for information on Hamza bin Laden`s whereabouts. "Hamza bin Laden is wanted for questioning in connection with his membership in the Al Qaeda organisation and his public declarations threatening the security of the United States," the FBI said in a statement. He has ties to and may be located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria or Iran and is known to speak Arabic, it added. The US designated Hamza bin Laden as a "global terrorist" in 2017. In March, the State Department had said that it would offer a reward of $1 million for information on Hamza bin Laden. Investigators believe that Hamza bin Laden is married to the daughter of al-Qaeda senior leader Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, aka Abu Muhammad al Masri, who has been indicted for his alleged involvement on August 7, 1998 bombings of the US Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. It is worth mentioning that Saudi Arabia had earlier revoked Hamza bin Laden`s citizenship.

FBI adds Osama bin Laden's son to its 'seeking more information list'

Despite objections from the Opposition, Pakistan's former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-osama-bin-ladens-grandson-killed-in-air-strike-28331">Intelligence Bureau</a> (IB) chief Ijaz Shah, who reportedly helped&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/seven-years-after-osama-bin-ladens-killing-al-qaeda-has-grown-by-avoiding-the-limelight-134281">Osama bin Laden</a> in Pakistan, was sworn in as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs on Tuesday by President Arif Alvi here.

The move has put the Imran Khan-led government and the Opposition, especially the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), at odds as former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had alleged that Shah was among the people who had hatched a conspiracy to kill her, reports Dawn.

Shah, a confidant of former Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf, has also been accused of harbouring terror outfit Al-Qaeda's founder-leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Laden was most wanted by the United States for perpetrating the gruesome 9/11 attacks.

In its report in 2012, The Sydney Morning Herald had quoted former ISI chief General Ziauddin Butt as saying that Shah had ordered to build the three-storied walled compound in Abbottabad where Laden was hunted down and killed by US Forces in 2011.

"I fully believe that Ijaz Shah had kept this man (Osama bin Laden, in Abbottabad) with the full knowledge of Pervez Musharraf," Butt had alleged. Shah has since dismissed the allegations. Shah served as Pakistan's IB Director General from 2004 to 2008. He was also elected as a Member of National Assembly (MNA) on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) ticket from NA-118 (Nankana Sahib-II).

Alleging that Pakistan Prime Minister has no respect for the Parliament, PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah told Dawn, "Ijaz Shah is being made the minister to make parliament redundant and to further degrade it." He added that Shah was made the minister to "provoke" the Opposition.

According to the PPP leader, Shah has been "brought to power as an alternative" to Musharraf, who currently lives in Dubai.

Despite objections from the Opposition, Pakistan's former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Ijaz Shah, who reportedly helped Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, was sworn in as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs on Tuesday by President Arif Alvi here.

Despite objections from the Opposition, Pakistan's former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Ijaz Shah, who reportedly helped Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, was sworn in as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs on Tuesday by President Arif Alvi here. The move has put the Imran Khan-led government and the Opposition, especially the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), at odds as former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had alleged that Shah was among the people who had hatched a conspiracy to kill her, reports Dawn. Shah, a confidant of former Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf, has also been accused of harbouring terror outfit Al-Qaeda's founder-leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Laden was most wanted by the United States for perpetrating the gruesome 9/11 attacks. In its report in 2012, The Sydney Morning Herald had quoted former ISI chief General Ziauddin Butt as saying that Shah had ordered to build the three-storied walled compound in Abbottabad where Laden was hunted down and killed by US Forces in 2011. "I fully believe that Ijaz Shah had kept this man (Osama bin Laden, in Abbottabad) with the full knowledge of Pervez Musharraf," Butt had alleged. Shah has since dismissed the allegations. Shah served as Pakistan's IB Director General from 2004 to 2008. He was also elected as a Member of National Assembly (MNA) on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) ticket from NA-118 (Nankana Sahib-II). Alleging that Pakistan Prime Minister has no respect for the Parliament, PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah told Dawn, "Ijaz Shah is being made the minister to make parliament redundant and to further degrade it." He added that Shah was made the minister to "provoke" the Opposition. According to the PPP leader, Shah has been "brought to power as an alternative" to Musharraf, who currently lives in Dubai.

Former Pakistani IB chief, who reportedly helped Osama bin Laden, sworn in as minister

Osama Model to eliminate Azhar?

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