Bin Laden played 'strong' role in organising attacks, say US investigators

The wealth of information pulled from Osama bin Laden's compound has reinforced the strong role he played in planning and directing attacks by al-Qaida and its affiliates in Yemen and Somalia, senior US officials have said.

The data further proves to the US that al-Qaida commanders and other principal insurgents are scattered throughout Pakistan, not just in the rugged border areas, and are supported and given sanctuary by Pakistanis, a senior defence official said.