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US Discovers Four to Five Groups Linked to Bin Laden at Home
US investigators have discovered four to five groups linked to Osama bin Laden in the United States, the Washington Post said Sunday.
Citing unnamed government officials, the newspaper said the groups have operated in the U.S. for the last several years, but no evidence was found that they were connected to any of the 19 hijackers responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks.
They said that the groups, or cells, are under intensive government surveillance, but no arrests have been made as the group members entered the U.S. legally and have been involved in illegal activities.
Government officials said they do not know why the groups are here, what their purpose is or whether their members are planning attacks. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is trying to find the answers. One official speculated that they might be here to gather intelligence, or to support or execute attacks.
The U.S. government has accused "Al Qaeda" led by Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden of being responsible for the September 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. Over 6,500 people were listed missing or killed in the attacks.
The report said "Al Qaeda", Arabic for "the base", is a loose confederation of extremist Islamic groups.
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