Declassified CIA Files Reveal India Was Among Countries Considered For Osama Bin Laden Attacks

Declassified documents from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have revealed that India was among the countries where al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden was reportedly considering terrorist attacks.

The information comes from a 1998 Presidential Daily Brief prepared for the US administration.

The CIA has released more than 70 intelligence briefs related to bin Laden around the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

The documents contain more than 100 pages of intelligence material and provide further insight into the growing threat posed by al-Qaeda before 9/11.

A report dated August 28, 1998, stated that bin Laden wanted to organise attacks in several countries, including India, Pakistan, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Uganda and possibly Nigeria.

The document did not identify any specific Indian city, building or location as a target. It contained no details about a planned date or operational strategy, while portions of the material remain classified.

The intelligence files warned that despite potential US action against bin Laden and other militant leaders based in Afghanistan, al-Qaeda’s network remained active. Its communications systems were reportedly functioning, while training activities had resumed at some camps.

According to the CIA assessment, bin Laden could rely on associates and extremist groups operating across at least 60 countries to carry out attacks.

The United States and Britain were identified as potential targets.

US presidents received repeated warnings of possible terrorist attacks from 1998 to 2001, beginning under Bill Clinton and continuing under George W Bush.

On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes. Two hit New York’s World Trade Centre, one struck the Pentagon, and another crashed in Pennsylvania, killing thousands and reshaping global security.

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