Local doubts
Even some within Pakistan's civilian government — members of whom frequently complain that they are undermined by Pakistan's intelligence agencies — say privately that they harbor doubts about bin Laden’s ability to stay for years in Abbottabad without some official assistance. Military and intelligence chiefs probably did not know directly about bin Laden, but “the machine down below” probably did, a senior government official said, referring to elements within the ISI.
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The Hunt for Osama bin Laden
A senior police official in another area of Pakistan said he would be “amazed” if neighbors had not reported suspicious activity about the house to police in Abbottabad.
The police official, who is not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, previously served as a district-level police chief in four areas. He said he and his officers frequently advised residents to keep an eye on their neighbors and report newcomers.
“Once a week I would get a call from anonymous people that, in that house, there are a few suspicious people coming and visiting. Or there is a house where nobody is there. And, you know, we used to check those houses,” the police official said. “In the past few years, when I was posted in districts, I used to get calls that ‘there are bearded people visiting that house!’ Everyone is aware of the fact that we are living in a very dangerous situation.”
A compound such as bin Laden’s, where Pakistani security officials say about 18 people were living, would attract notice because it would require “huge provisions. You need to provide them with groceries,” the police official said.
“I would understand if this had happened in New York — everyone is so busy,” the official said. “But Pakistanis, we are pretty intrusive people. We are very much concerned about what’s cooking in our neighbor’s kitchen.”
Sardar Sher Dil, the former nazim, or mayor, of another neighborhood in the garrison city, said he kept a detailed map of his locality and regularly updated records on the residents of each house.
“I as a civilian, local-level politician can maintain all the maps and data of my locality and voters. Why not the [military] officials and security agencies?” Dil said. “Everyone here in relevant quarters, like our main intelligence agencies, were fully aware of the Osama bin Laden compound.”
Baba Haider Zaman, the mayor of the Abbottabad district from 2005 to 2010, echoed doubts about security officials’ ignorance.
“Either they took bribes or harbored such a high-value target,” Zaman said, though he said he did not visit Bilal Town, the neighborhood where bin Laden was found, during his tenure.
The nazim of Bilal Town, Syed Sultan Shah, could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Other officials, speaking anonymously, indicated that the failure to locate bin Laden was simple oversight.
An Abbottabad police official who was not authorized to speak publicly said his force conducted a population survey three months ago. Heads of household were required to provide property records, as well as two photographs and a copy of their national identity card.
The police official said the records at the bin Laden house were under the name of Arshad Khan — one of two brothers who neighbors said lived at the house. Other security officials have said, however, that the identity card appeared to be fake.
A government official in Abbottabad said a census team also made rounds in the city in April, for the first time in 11 years. But no one responded to knocks at the two metal security gates of the bin Laden compound, the official said, and the census workers gave up.
Warrick reported from Washington; Brulliard, from Islamabad. Special correspondent Haq Nawaz Khan in Abbottabad contributed to this report.
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