Osama bin Laden's death: How US killed the world's 'most wanted terrorist' 10 years ago

It has been 10 years since n-President Barack Obama anunced that US had successfully killed Osama bin Laden, leader of al-Qaeda. Bin Laden, who was globe’s most hunted, was killed by US Special Forces during a raid at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Saudi-born architect of 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 had been hunted by US and its allies for a decade and n US president George W. Bush had even declared in 2001 that he was “Wanted: Dead or Alive”. 

Ten years later, in 2011, US Intelligence received a tip-off that Bin Laden was at a walled compound in Pakistan city of Abbottabad, close to a major military training academy. After consulting key military and political advisers, Barack Obama n authorised a strike - breaching sovereign territory of a purported US ally - to target an icon of international violence and terror. Flying from bases in Afghanistan, a US Navy SEAL was tasked with capturing or killing Bin Laden. 

full story of how, and why, America’s top security officials decided to pull trigger that night in May has never officially been told. However, oral history - based on interviews with intelligence and national security leaders, revealed that disaster for Americans almost struck in early part of operation when a Blackhawk helicopter hit technical trouble and was forced into an emergency landing. SEAL team n found mselves in a fierce gun battle with occupants of compound. 

‘Justice has been done’ 

In ensuing firefight, Bin Laden and three or men died. A woman was also reportedly killed. After fighting, SEAL team n quickly gared papers and or materials in two buildings and clambered back on helicopters, taking Bin Laden’s corpse with m. Before leaving, US troops had even blown up Blackhawk helicopter. 

“Tonight, I can report to American people and to world that United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, leader of al-Qaeda and a terrorist who's responsible for murder of thousands of incent men, women, and children,” Obama said while addressing nation in 2011. 

“On nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: justice has been done,” he added.

Bin Laden’s body was flown to a US warship in rrn part of Arabian Sea and buried at sea. raid was quick, risky and deadly, but ultimately a massive success. Once his death was anunced in a hastily organized late Sunday night presidential address, much of attention focused on bravery and skill of SEAL operators who flew in and conducted attack. Following anuncement, massive celebrations also broke out across globe. 

(Im: AP)