CIA Files: Bin Laden Considered India Among Potential Attack Targets

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 13, 2026: India was among the countries that former al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden had considered targeting, according to documents recently released by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The CIA on Friday released more than 70 presidential intelligence briefs related to bin Laden, comprising over 100 pages, to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the US.

A presidential brief dated August 28, 1998, said bin Laden was planning attacks in several countries, including India. Pakistan, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Uganda and “possibly” Nigeria were also mentioned. Parts of the document have been redacted.

Titled “Bin Ladin Terrorist Network Still a Threat,” the brief does not identify any specific target in India, attack date or detailed operational plan.

The document said bin Laden’s established infrastructure in North America, Europe and East Asia lent credibility to reports that his network could target US interests in those regions.

It also assessed that bin Laden and other terrorist leaders based in Afghanistan had survived US attacks and that their communications network remained intact. The brief noted that al-Qaeda had resumed training at some camps while others were being relocated.