What happened to Osama Bin Laden’s wives after his death? Former aide of Pakistan’s ex-president reveals BIG secret, says…

In his book "The Zardari Presidency; Now It Must Be Told," Babar wrote that after Osama’s killing, the Pakistani army reached the spot and took his wives into custody.

Written by: Victor Dasgupta Edited by: Victor Dasgupta

Published: September 14, 2025, 8:00 AM IST

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New Delhi: In August 2010, U.S. intelligence agencies gathered information suggesting that Osama bin Laden, the Al-Qaeda chief and mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, was possibly hiding in a compound in northern Pakistan. On May 2, 2011, under orders from President Obama, a special operations unit raided the compound and killed bin Laden. In announcing the successful operation, President Obama said, “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and dignity.”

The operation not only stunned the world but also left Pakistan’s credibility under intense international scrutiny. After the operation, questions were raised worldwide against the Pakistani army as to how such a notorious terrorist could live so close to their military base without any trouble. But the world already knew the truth about Pakistan.

While America killed Osama, what happened to his wives and children who were with him? This question was in the mind of every individual. Now, the answer has been revealed by Farhatullah Babar, former spokesperson of Pakistan’s ex-president Asif Ali Zardari, in his book.

Key takeaways from the book:

• In his book “The Zardari Presidency; Now It Must Be Told,” Babar wrote that after Osama’s killing, the Pakistani army reached the spot and took his wives into custody.
• But shortly afterward, a CIA team directly arrived at the Pakistani army’s Abbottabad cantonment.
• The American agents, without any hesitation, were interrogating those women.
• Babar wrote that because of this incident, Pakistan had to endure national humiliation.
• According to him, while American agents were openly operating in Pakistan, the Pakistani army and government appeared to be bowing before them.
• The episode was filled with failure and embarrassment for Pakistan.
• Yet, given what was discovered there, nothing could be done. Babar claimed that the most humiliating revelation was that American agencies had already known for a long time that Osama was hiding there.
• They had also gathered information about the contractor who built the hideout for Osama.

As per the book, Islamabad faced global condemnation after US found Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan’s Abbottabad.  Pakistan continued its efforts to display its sovereignty before the public even after the incident. Following the raid, several high-profile American figures, including then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator John Kerry, visited Pakistan. Islamabad’s government wanted assurances from America that it would not attempt any similar unilateral strike in the future. But the U.S. gave no such promise.