Osama’s martyrdom gives jihad strength: Taliban

KABUL to wage the insurgency against foreign invaders, the militants said on Saturday, a day after Al-Qaeda confirmed the death of its leader.

In a statement attributed to Al Qaeda and posted on jihadist internet forums said Osama’s blood would not be “wasted” and al-Qaeda would continue to attack the US and its allies.Bin Laden’s death would be a “curse” for the US and urged an uprising in Pakistan, the statement added.

The world‘s most wanted man and the alleged mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the US was killed Monday in Pakistan when US commandos stormed his compound in the town of Abbottabad.

The covert raid was carried out without the prior knowledge of the Pakistani authorities, increasing tension between the two countries.

The Taliban outfit fighting Afghan and NATO forces said the death of al-Qaeda leader will further serve to increase morale in insurgents and encourage them in war against US and NATO forces.

“The Islamic Emirate (name of ousted Taliban regime) believes the martyrdom of Sheikh Osama bin Laden will give a new impetus to the current Jihad (Holy war) against the invaders in this critical phase of Jihad. The tides of Jihad will gain strength and width. The forthcoming time will prove this both for the friends and the foes, if God willing,” said the statement.

“The sapling of jihad has always grown, blossomed and bore fruit through irrigation by pure blood,” it added  .

“The martyrdom of a martyr leads hundreds more to head to the field of martyrdom and sacrifice.”

The death of Bin Laden has already raised fears among war-weary Afghans of revenge attacks by Taliban and associated militants against Afghan and NATO-led troops in Afghanistan.

Al Qaeda in its statement published on jihadist web forums, signed by “the general leadership” of al-Qaeda, on Friday said an audiotape would be released of Bin Laden speaking a week before his death.

“(His blood) will remain, with permission from Allah, the Almighty, a curse that chases the Americans and their agents, and goes after them inside and outside their countries,” it warned.

In Pakistan, Islamist groups, led by the Jamaat-i-Islami, denounced the US military operation in Abbottabad as a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.

They were also critical of Pakistan’s government for allowing the commando operation to happen, although officials deny they were told.

Hundreds of people gathered in central Abbottabad following Friday prayers. They burned tyres, blocked a main road and shouted “down, down USA!” and “USA terrorist“.

Meanwhile, reports from the US say documents found at the compound suggest Bin Laden was planning further attacks on the US, including on the 10th anniversary of 11 September 2001.One plan was to target a US rail route, officials said, although no imminent threat was detected.

One of Bin Laden’s wives being interrogated by Pakistani security officials said she had never left the upper floors of the compound the entire time she was there, believed to be about six years.

She and Bin Laden’s other two wives were taken into custody following Monday’s raid. Pakistani authorities are also holding eight or nine children who were found there.

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