Osama bin Laden wanted to attack India years before 9/11, CIA file reveals
Newly declassified CIA documents from 1998 reveal that Osama bin Laden had identified India and Pakistan as potential targets for terrorist attacks years before 9/11. The files were released as part of a larger batch of intelligence records marking the 25th anniversary of the 2001 attacks.
Why it matters
These documents provide historical context regarding the evolution of al-Qaeda's global threat assessment and intelligence failures prior to the 9/11 attacks.
Terrorist leader Osama bin Laden intended to attack India and several other countries years ago, a newly declassified CIA intelligence brief has revealed.Bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network identified India and Pakistan as possible targets for terrorist strikes before the September 11, 2001 attacks in America, per the top secret document prepared for US president Bill Clinton in 1998.The revelation is part of a major CIA release which came on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. On September 11, the CIA made 71 intelligence reports public. It was the largest release of 9/11-related records. One brief, titled “Bin Ladin Terrorist Network Still a Threat” and dated August 28, 1998, said bin Laden intended to attack several countries, including India and Pakistan.
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