Pakistan might knew about OBL.this might answer some of the questions. Complete file can be downloaded from the link, however I am posting the relevant part.
http://cryptome.org/2015/03/obl-body-docs-intercept-15-0313.pdf
the letter in question is dated for 22nd May and addressed to OBL by his Commander
"
In Pakistan,
we sent verbal messages, even written ones, through some of the couriers telling the
Pakistanis, "Weare aiming our war against the Americans in Afghanistan. If the Pakistani Army
and government leaves us alone, we will leave them alone. If not - if they direct any harm
against us, if they do not leave us be, if they stand with the Americans in the espionage war and
so on - then they will see amazing events in Islamabad, Bandy and elsewhere ...
Through intermediaries (Jihadists who have relations with the state, the government, intelligence
services, and others), we have let slip that we (al-Qaeda) have readied enormous, earthshaking,
destructive operations within Pakistan. But the leadership gave the orders to halt the operations
and de-escalate if Pakistan stops causing us harm.
In fact, we do have major operations that are nearly ready, praise God.
These are the most important issues for us.
We would like your guidance.
Especially on this idea: reduce the work; meaning stopping many of the operations so we can
move around less, and be less exposed to strikes. Along the same lines, pulling a large portion of
the group out ofWaziristan. For example, we can send some brothers and their families into
Pakistan, to areas like Sind and the surrounding areas and villages, as well as Baluchistan, and so
on. We can send many of our brothers from our military brigades if they come later to their
brothers in Nuristan, and we might send groups to other tribes like Khyber ... and so on and so
forth.
There is an idea preferred by some brothers aiming to avoid attrition (the loss of staff, leaders,
and the organization's old elites). The idea is that some brothers would travel to "safe" areas
with their families, just for protection. They would only stay for a time, until the crisis is over,
maybe one or two years. They have proposed locations inside Pakistan, like the areas around
Sind and Baluchistan, in those areas, and Iran.
If possible, give us guidance on this matter.
Among the ideas mentioned above,
we think, beloved Sheikh, that you should have fewer
exchanges of correspondence with us during this period. Make the period between contacts
longer and farther apart. Take excessive caution and care, especially this year.
May God protect and keep you, and grant his success.
4. Operations in Pakistan:
I suggest a full review of the work in Pakistan (the Jihad and war we are waging against
the Pakistani government). I will ask the leaders of the Pakistani brothers to prepare a
study and a full report on the gains over the past three or four years (following the Lal
Masjid and the Osama bin Laden's call to jihad against the apostate government in
Pakistan). We may form a committee from those brothers for this purpose, and then
submit it to you, God willing.
We want your assessment, for you to follow the issue, and then give us guidance.
Letter dated for July 15, 2010:
Regarding the negotiations, dear Sheikh, I will give you.an overview, may God support
me in this. The Pakistani enemy has been corresponding with us and with Tahreek-iTaliban
(Hakimallah) for a very short time, since the days of Hafiz, may God have mercy
on him. We discussed the matter internally, then we talked with Abu-Muhammad later
once we were able to resume correspondence with him. Our decision was this: We are
prepared to leave you be. Our battle is primarily against the Americans. You became part
of the battle when you sided with the Americans. If you were to leave us and our affairs
alone, we would leave you alone. If not, we are men, and you will be surprised by what
you see; God is with us.
We let slip (through Siraj Haqqani, with the help of the brothers in Mas'ud and others;
through their communications) information indicating that al-Qaeda and Tahreek-iTaliban
have big, earth shaking operations in Pakistan, but that their leaders had halted
those operations in an attempt to calm things down and relieve the American pressure.
But if Pakistan does any harm to the Mujahidin in Waziristan, the operations will go
forward, including enormous operations ready in the heart of the country. [That is the
meaning of what we leaked out through several outlets; it has reached them piecemeal]
In the aftermath, they, the intelligence people, have started reaching out to us through
some of the Pakistani "Jihadist"groups, the ones they approve of. They reached out to
"the Mujahidin Movement" which is led by Fadl-al-Rahman Khalil. We received a
messenger from them bringing us a letter from the Intelligence leaders including Shuja'
Shah, and others. They said they wanted to talk to us, to al-Qaeda. We gave them the
same message, nothing more. A little later (three weeks ago), they sent the same man
again. This time the surprise was that they brought Hamid Ghul into the session, and Fadl
aI-Rahman Khalil attended with them as an advisor! They said, "Be patient with us for a
little bit;" (they said a month and a half or two months) "Weare trying to convince the
AIp.ericans, we are putting pressure on them to negotiate with al-Qaeda and we are trying
to convince them that negotiating with the Taliban separate from al-Qaeda is pointless.
So please wait a little. If we can convince the Americans, then we" (they mean
themselves as Pakistanis) have no objection to negotiating with you and sitting with you."
The brothers told them, "We will deliver the message to our leaders." The messenger left:
That's it.
Regarding Tahreek-i-Taliban: we have informed Hakimallah and his companion Qari
Husayn, that the Punjab government (Shah Baz Sharif) sent them a message indicating
they wanted to negotiate with them, and that they were ready to reestablish normal
relations as long as they do not conduct operations in Punj ab (in their governmental
jurisdiction, which does not include Islamabad or Bandy). The government said they
were ready to pay any price ... and so on. They told us the negotiations were under way.
We stressed that they needed to consult us on everything, and they promised they would.
In the last meeting I had with Hakimallah I asked about it. He said there was nothing new
and that he would report anything new to you. I let him know what has been happening
with us, and advised him to be careful of them. Hakim things that we should not appear
in the picture and we should not sit with them. I agreed with him on this in principle. I
told him, "In any case, we will not agree to anything without consulting with our
leadership," except with your consent.
This is an approximate summary of what happened ... As you can see, it is only words!
Are the Pakistanis serious, or are they playing around and dissembling? Caution is
mandatory, as is preparedness, awareness, and staying focused on the mission and
resolve. Of course, they are feeling the pain, too. They think their supporters and masters,
the Americans, are in a crisis as well. It is a government and nation made up of lies, and
God provides shelter ... God is sufficient for me, most excellent is he in whom we trust.
You asked what we think? 0 Sheikh, we see it the way you said it: We will make use of
any opportunity for a truce with the Pakistanis in order so we can focus on the
Americans. That is clear. Yes, there will be some trouble for many of our Pakistani
brothers, and do not forget the brothers in Swat, the brothers in Mas 'ud, our allies and
those very dear to us, and others, even the groups with us. However, we will clarify
things and help them understand the issue and how important it is, and that it is the best
possible result, with God's support.
Regarding your suggestion for your son Hamzah, I do not know Hamzah. He was young
but he is grown now. I should ask brother Nu'man aI-Masri; he was close to him for a
while in prison, I think. So if you are confident in the steadfastness and his strength of
will ... it is a good suggestion. May God facilitate his release, along with the rest of the
brothers. How do you think it will be for him to go to Qatar? If they release him, they
will push him to come to us using the known smuggling routes. He will make it to us, but
what then? Is it appropriate for him to coordinate with the embassy of Qatar in Pakistan
for example? But the Americans would surely take him! This issue requires close study,
caution, and care unless we are able to tell the Iranians: let him go to Qatar. We will try.
OBL responded to above statedment by saying :
* In regards to the truce with the Pakistani government, continuing the negotiations in the way
you described is in the interest of the Mujahedeen at this time.
P.S: as per trail of letters above, I think with all those negotiation talk in place, Pakistan might have been able to trace down OBL, by end of 2010 / Q4.
