Bin Laden Often Had Visitors At Abbottabad Compound: Report

Pakistani Taliban leaders sometimes visited with al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at his compound in Abbottabad, according to documents and computer files captured by U.S. officials.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that UK intelligence officials are helping their American counterparts to examine the mountain of data retrieved from the house where bin Laden was killed.

Reportedly, a commander of the Afghan Taliban (who was not identified, but who has previously given accurate information), told Western officials that he also visited bin Laden at the Abbottabad compound.

He also said that al-Qaeda members, Taliban figures and fellow Arab sympathizers sporadically trekked to Abbottabad.

The Afghan Taliban figure said he last saw bin Laden two years ago and that he seemed healthy and fit, but concerned about his safety and finances.

He [bin Laden] said he had no choice but to be active and meet people, despite the security risks, the Taliban leader said, according to the Telegraph.

He was meeting with other top al Qaeda leaders who could get access to Abbottabad without endangering their safety.

The disclosure that bin Laden apparently had direct contact with his supporters – rather than funneling messages through couriers and intermediaries – raises new questions about the al-Qaeda chief’s role and participation in the global terror network.

The revelation also raises more urgent questions about the Pakistan government’s complicity in harboring bin Laden.

The Telegraph also reported that the intelligence gathered at the compound identified six countries – Britain, US, Canada, Israel, Germany and Spain – as potential terror strikes.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) services have stated they will no longer cooperate in sharing intelligence with their US counterparts in protest of the Abbottabad raid that killed bin Laden.