Image Credentials: Image Title: OSAMA BIN LADEN KILLED IN U.S. OPERATION IN PAKISTAN Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: May 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), and it does not depict a real-world scene.
Nearly a decade after 9/11, America’s most wanted man is dead
By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle with Agencies
Washington / Abbottabad — U.S. President Barack Obama announced on Sunday night that Osama bin Laden, the founder and leader of the terrorist organization Al Qaeda, was killed in a targeted operation by American special forces in Pakistan. The raid was conducted in the early hours of Sunday in the city of Abbottabad, roughly 50 kilometers north of Islamabad, without prior notification to Pakistani authorities.
“Justice has been done,” said President Obama in a televised address from the White House, marking the end of one of the most extensive manhunts in modern history.
America’s Public Enemy No. 1
Bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi national and the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York and Washington, had been on the run for nearly ten years. He was also wanted for the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which killed 224 people. A $25 million reward was offered for information leading to his capture.
According to U.S. officials, the operation lasted about 40 minutes and involved four helicopters carrying elite American counterterrorism forces. Bin Laden was found in a high-walled compound with no internet or phone connections. He and four others were killed in the firefight that followed. Bin Laden’s body was reportedly buried at sea, according to Islamic traditions.
ON THIS DAY: In 2011, Pres. Barack Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden during a U.S. commando operation, which took place in Abbottabad, Pakistan in the early morning hours of May 2 local time. https://t.co/zqfaB9m1qo pic.twitter.com/LpWEVDKJGX
— ABC News (@ABC) May 1, 2025
Secretive and Surgical Strike
The raid was carried out without sharing intelligence with Pakistani authorities. U.S. officials justified this decision by citing security concerns and the legal obligation to act on credible information. The compound was located just 100 meters from a Pakistani military academy, raising serious questions about whether Bin Laden was being sheltered.
“We did not share any details about the safe house with any other country, including Pakistan,” a senior U.S. official said.
Celebrations Across the U.S.
As the news broke, spontaneous celebrations erupted in front of the White House and at Ground Zero in New York. Crowds waved American flags, sang national anthems, and chanted “USA! USA!” in scenes reminiscent of major national triumphs.
In his address, Obama said the mission represented the most significant achievement to date in America’s effort to defeat Al Qaeda and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to defending its citizens and allies. “America can do whatever it sets its mind to,” he said.
Former President George W. Bush, under whose leadership the hunt for Bin Laden began, released a statement echoing Obama’s sentiments: “Justice has been done. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight, America sent a clear message: No matter how long it takes, we will get the job done.”
Years of Intelligence Work
The operation was the result of years of intelligence gathering by the CIA, which had been tracking Bin Laden’s trusted couriers. One of them eventually led U.S. operatives to the Abbottabad compound, which had been under surveillance for months.
The final order to carry out the mission was given by President Obama on the preceding Friday. While no American troops were harmed, one of the helicopters used in the operation crashed and was later destroyed by the team.
International Reactions and Security Concerns
Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani called the operation a “great victory” against terrorism, though he admitted to being unaware of its specifics. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the raid was consistent with U.S. policy to eliminate Bin Laden wherever he was found.
Al Qaeda’s Yemeni branch confirmed the death and described it as “a catastrophe.” Intelligence analysts warn of possible retaliatory attacks in response to the killing.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.