Osama bin Laden is dead. This is not a hoax. The world's most notorious terrorist has been killed by U.S. military forces, according to breaking news reports.
The mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the leader of Al Qaeda was reportedly shot in the head in Afghanistan and his body is in U.S. hands.
Bin Laden is believed to have been taken down by U.S. assets in a mansion outside Islamabad, Pakistan, along with other members of his family, officials say.
Osama bin Laden (1957-2011).
Already a notorious fugitive before the 9/11 attacks that killed over 3,000 people, capturing Osama had been a key national security priority for a decade.
Few additional details have been confirmed about bin Laden's death at this time, but President Barack Obama will address the nation shortly to provide them.
The administration is still gathering intelligence and will be briefing congressional officials in advance of the President’s address to America tonight.
Obama will deliver the news to the nation in an address from the White House, almost 10 years after the catastrophic attacks bin Laden orchestrated.
Story developing ...
UPDATE: The Al Qaeda leader was shot in the head by U.S. forces in a mansion in Abbottabad, about 31 miles north of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
Four others in the compound were also killed. One of them was bin Laden's adult son; another was a woman being used as a shield by a male combatant.
Osama bin Laden's body was later buried at sea, an official said. Many Muslims adhere to the belief that bodies should be buried within one day.
Official did not release additional details about the burial of the notorious Saudi native, but said it was handled in keeping with Muslim customs.
In an address to the nation, the President called bin Laden's death "the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda."
"Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan," Obama said.
"A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties."
"After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body."
Obama said the operation was planned for months.
Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2011/05/osama-bin-laden-dead/
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