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Pak under pressure to help nab Osama

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

Pressure is mounting on Pakistan to co-operate with the Americans in carrying out strikes on terrorist bases in Afghanistan, especially to nab Saudi Arabian millionaire-turned-terrorist Osama bin Laden, say Indian intelligence agencies. But Pakistan's military government has not yet given any commitment to the Americans.

The demand for Pakistani assistance in covert commando operations in Afghanistan, especially on bin Laden's camps, was a major issue taken up unsuccessfully during President Bill Clinton's visit last week.

According to Indian intelligence agencies and Western media reports, there already exists a sort of agreement between the US and Pakistan to carry out a combined undercover operation to arrest bin Laden, who figures in the CIA's most wanted list. "But there is no progress on the ground," asserts an Indian intelligence official.

According to inputs received by intelligence agencies here, a key reason for the visible shift in US policy towards Pakistan is the latter's refusal to co-operate with the American plan to capture bin Laden. Symbolised by bin Laden, Islamic terrorism is what Americans are most concerned about now, and a success in their operations against these groups would also be an assertion of their military capability, sources say.

Which is why Americans are peeved at Pakistan's non-cooperation. Now public, the operation was to have been carried out by Pakistani security agencies with Central Intelligence Agency officials assisting them. The agreement was apparently signed last year, "but nothing has happened on that front", says a senior Indian intelligence officer.

He adds, "There are reports that some basic training was done for a combined operation, but we don't have any formal confirmation on that. What we know is that the Americans have been putting pressure on the Pakistan authorities to arrest bin Laden or assist in nabbing him."

According to the officer, "Probably the CIA wanted a cover from Pakistani forces to move across Afghanistan, into bin Laden's base." But Pakistan has not yet agreed to it, "even though President Clinton himself is believed to have taken up the issue with General Pervez Musharaf".

Bin Laden is wanted in the bombing of US embassies in Africa in 1998 in which more than 250 people were killed. The CIA has already announced a $5 million reward to anyone providing information leading to his arrest.

The official says Clinton reportedly took up this issue along with the restoration of democracy and the Kashmir dispute during his talks with Gen Musharraf. "But there was no commitment forthcoming from Musharraf."

Indian intelligence agencies believe Gen Musharraf will not take "any step that could annoy the extremist groups". The anger of the powerful fundamentalists can bring down his regime.

The ailing bin Laden is believed to have beefed up his security in recent times and has only been interacting with close confidants such as Muhammed Atef.

The Taliban regime, which is heavily funded and armed by the Arab millionaire, is giving him "complete protection", say Indian security agencies. They believe that the United Nations sanctions -- imposed after Kabul refused to hand bin Laden over last year -- "have yet not forced them to change their attitude towards bin Laden".

Bin Laden, who is reportedly terminally ill, had a few months ago married the daughter of a senior Taliban functionary.

During Clinton's visit, the Pakistani regime had agreed to the US demand to close down terrorist training camps along the route on which the American president flew, and also sealed the Afghan border. "But that is no sign of co-operation. It was only due to the American demand based on perceptions of a threat to their president," say Indian officials.

CLINTON VISITS INDIA:The complete coverage

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