Remember the days when the Enemy No. 1 used to be assumed dead every week but the very next day a mockingly corresponding video would evolve from nowhere. There was always enough to keep up the “Tom-n-Jerry” chase. So, the first time when the news broke, majority must have thought – “oh no, the same old crappy rumors…” And the remaining perhaps wondered that isn’t he dead already. However the point here is not about debating on the death of the century’s most celebrated terrorist. The point here is about the dramatic turn of events, surprising revelation of secrets, and the conflicting, contradicting statements released from every quarter. The official versions of the operation do raise some eyebrows on many grounds and thus may imply motives that go beyond the obvious and the visible.
Firstly, the timing of the triumph – if US did knew the facts for almost 10 months then why did they took so long to open the chapter and then perhaps close it for once and all (even if they have intended to catch him alive). Generally people would assume, they would not have thought twice before gunning down anyone being suspicious, having a long beard, and with a complementing white turban. Is it just a mere coincidence that at a crucial time when the President is eying for a difficult-to-secure second term suddenly got the opportunity to stand on a solid ground? Perhaps nothing could sound more orgasmic to the average American ears than the process that started by “Yes, we can..” and finished by “Justice… has been done”.
Secondly, Pakistan’s unsubstantial remark that they were unaware about the whole operation is so laughable. They even claimed that they didn’t have any clue about the most wanted terrorist who was actually enjoying their hospitality (and protection) at an army-crafted hill station. All these could only suggest either of two things. One, the US didn’t trust the Pak army (which of course nobody actually does… except China perhaps). Or two, there must be some mutual understanding between the two strategic allies (of unequal forces) on not poking the little domestic bubbles.
Thirdly, how did the US carried out such vital operation with such optimum precision. There wasn’t any objection (or permission) from the Pak administration in a town that has a dedicated military presence and is comfortably close to their own capital. How could Pak radars refuse to point the US army helicopters flying over the unexpected areas (isn’t that area should come under a restricted flying-zone?). Pakistan’s ex-president thinks that the US has insulted Pak’s sovereignty. I believe that they chose themselves to be insulted under what must have been an extreme pressure from their partner and also under their own characteristic dilemma.
Fourthly, why was such haste for the burial of the body? And, “buried at sea as per Islamic rituals” – well… it certainly raises more technical doubts than religious controversies. Just imagine of soldiers going under the sea with a gruesome dead body and digging out a grave – how gross is that…!! Certainly, throwing out the body in to the sea would have sounded much simpler. No wonder, that the US intelligence has decided to maintain extreme secrecy and didn’t release any photographs or videos of the operation (pre or post). The only conclusive evidence that they offered to the public is a DNA test. Also, the official statement that the enemy wasn’t armed but offered some resistance doesn’t trigger the necessity of a spot killing. Well, all these make me little wonder that they did kill the man or not. Couldn’t it be possible that they captured him alive (yes.. like the other past enemy) and interrogating him privately to find out everything about Al Qaeda and all its unidentified working associates (which probably is the more clever thing to do if they really wants to dismantle a overtly threatening terrorist set-up).
It doesn’t seem too unlikely that there exists obvious US-Pak understanding. Perhaps Pakistan knowingly sheltered Osama. Perhaps, they gradually sold his life and location to the US. Perhaps the purchase proved to be a precious electoral investment for the miracle-starved President. Eventually, the US takes all the (possible) help from Pakistan and almost silently finishes the operation in 40 minutes. Pakistan confusedly denies of any joint-effort in the on-ground mission. US happily acknowledges Pak’s dilemma and keeps the credit (blame) entirely upon itself. Thus, somehow Pakistan manages to protect the continuity of moral, military and monetary support from the US and same time, subdue the chances of any embarrassing backlashes in the backyard. Therefore to summarize, the role of Pakistan in the entire operation lies in somewhere between a blind spectator and a passive partner.
So, finally the US government can proudly justify its decade long mission of the “War against Terrorism”. In the mist of severe financial crisis, it was perhaps becoming practically hard for the President to justify the implicit flow of sincere tax payer’s money on extravagant military aggressions. I can still imagine how the President’s eyes must have been lit with joy and relief when he signed that precious “Kill Order” on April 29th. Fortune couldn’t have turned its favor at a better time than this. The whole story of American-Style Justice seems to have become much of a face-saver for burning billions of dollars and millions of people (including its own army) who risked their life in all kinds of programmed frenzies. So here, people must understand that it was never about terminating one fragile person (who is more weakened by his own failed kidneys than devastating air-strikes on his headquarters i.e., tents, caves or whatever…) that would give them the ultimate peace of mind..... Now the question we need to ask is – “Does the world without an Osama Bin Laden really makes it safer than before...??”
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