U.S. intelligence officials suspected Pakistan of sheltering Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, one of the world's most wanted men, for years before his death, according to a published report.
On Wednesday, Afghan officials announced that they believed Omar had died in a Pakistan hospital sometime in 2013. On Thursday, the Taliban issued a statement confirming the death of the man known as "The Commander of the Faithful", but did not specify when or how he had died. The Taliban statement also specifically claimed that Mullah Omar never left Afghanistan, "even to go to Pakistan or to any other country."
However, the Washington Post, citing diplomatic and intelligence documents, reported that the CIA had a lead on the reclusive Omar's whereabouts several times in 2010 and 2011, always placing him in Pakistan. The suspicions are another example of the complex relationship between the U.S. and one of its key allies in the global war on terror.
WNU Editor: This is an understatement on U.S. - Pakistan intelligence cooperation from former CIA/NSA Director Michael Hayden .... Michael Hayden: Mullah Omar Mystery Shows Poor Intel Cooperation (Newsmax). As to the Washington Post story that the above FOX News report is quoting, it is here .... Taliban leader Omar’s tale reflects clashing agendas (Washington Post).
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