This refers to the report “Pakistan laments ‘unilateral' U.S. action” (May 4) of the military operation in Abbottabad without informing the Pakistani government or getting its authorisation. The U.S. had no option but to take a unilateral decision to capture Osama bin Laden, the man who perpetrated the most heinous terror attacks across the world. Any sharing of information would have compromised the operation. The pursuit of those who have committed crimes against humanity transcends national boundaries. The U.S. was justified in its action.
H.N. Ramakrishna,
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On the one hand, Pakistan says it cooperated with the U.S. in the global war on terror, which led to Osama's elimination. On the other, it pretends that it was not aware of his presence in Pakistan.
The country is clearly in a dilemma. It does not know whether to take credit for helping the U.S. or say it had nothing to do with Osama's killing. The U.S. was right in keeping Pakistan out of the loop. Even a small clue would have prompted it to alert Osama.
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Hassan
There can be only two possibilities. Pakistan has either been harbouring Osama, giving him protection, with the full knowledge of the military and the ISI, while siphoning off billions of dollars in the name of fighting terror. Or, it was genuinely unaware that Osama was living comfortably right under its nose, next to the military academy. Either way, it does not make sense for the U.S. to treat Pakistan as a partner any more and waste billions of dollars.
I.V.V. Pai,
Chennai
The U.S. army has yet again demonstrated its superiority. We pity the situation Pakistan is in. Its intelligence agencies failed miserably when they failed to discover that the world's most wanted criminal was living right under their nose. Another matter of serious concern to Pakistan is that a foreign power was able to operate within its territory and get away. And for us, it is a matter of grave concern that we have such a weak and poorly governed state as our neighbour.
Y.V.S. Prabhakar,
Mancherial
After spending trillions of dollars and 10 years, the U.S. has learnt the truth about its sleeping partner of 40 years. It is ironical that the dollars which flowed into Pakistan to fight terrorists and help find Osama bin Laden were actually used to protect him. There are cries to declare Pakistan a terrorist state. It is already a terrorist haven.
George Easaw,
Bangalore
Osama's elimination is surely significant, not for the reasons the U.S. is rejoicing but for the removal of an imagined icon, who was the cause for germinating a worldwide aura of hatred towards Muslims by creating the wrong perception that their ideology is violence against others. The hands of the liberal section in Pakistan will no doubt be strengthened due to the discovery of the protection extended to the epitome of barbarism by the Pakistani establishment.
Kasim Sait,
Chennai
Pakistan was responsible for providing a safe hideout to the al-Qaeda leader. The U.S. should critically evaluate its trustworthiness as a partner in the war against terror.
Vinita Singh,
Hyderabad
Pakistan has been thoroughly exposed, as it has now emerged that the fugitive was living in Abbottabad, at the threshold of Islamabad, for years. It is impossible to believe that Osama and his men were not actively supported by the Pakistan army and the ISI. It is well known that Pakistan has been sponsoring terrorism as a state policy.
India cannot carry out a U.S.-type commando operation in Pakistan to eliminate those who have carried out terror attacks here. But it can declare Pakistan a terrorist state and bring pressure on the global powers, including the U.S., to do the same. Pleading with Pakistan to act against the perpetrators of terrorism will not help.
A. Paramesham,
Hyderabad