Pakistan Bans Visitors From Osama Compound Ahead of 9-11

Pakistani officials are prohibiting journalists and visitors from getting anywhere near the compound where Osama bin Laden lived, ahead of the tenth anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

In May, Osama was found and killed by U.S. Navy SEALS in the house in the military town of Abbottabad, near the capital Islamabad in the northern part of the country.

According to local police, a group of foreigners, including a Danish diplomat Uffe Wolffhechel, his wife, and two French journalists, were briefly detained this past week in Abbottabad when they tried to enter the compound. They were released and permitted to return to Islamabad.

Karim Khan, district police officer for Abbottabad, told the British newspaper the Daily Telegraph, the Danish couple did not receive authorization to visit the town.

The Danish foreign ministry protested the detention, citing that Wolffhechel possessed the proper paperwork to make the trip.

Pakistani media reports that since the May commando raid on Osama’s compound, foreign visitors have come under greater scrutiny and suspicion.

However, other reports state that the police have not issued formal instructions banning journalists or diplomats from getting near the compound.

In any case, since May the notorious (and now world-famous) compound has been under tight security.

Separately, Pakistani officials are reportedly worried that the Taliban may try to kidnap a government figure in order to ransom the release of Osama’s wives and children.

According to the Associated Press, Pakistan’s interior ministry warned of the alleged plot in a “secret” letter that was sent to top security officials around the country. The ministry said the information it received came for reliable sources.

Some members of Osama’s family have been under custody of Pakistani authorities, but it is unknown where they are residing.