How Most Wanted Terrorist Osama Bin Laden Was Killed

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On May 2, 2011, US Special Forces raided an al-Qaeda compound in Pakistan's Abbottabad, and killed the world's most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden

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The entire operation, which lasted only 40 minutes from start to end, was a result of years of calculated planning and training

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Here's how Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was finally tracked down and shot dead

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In 2007, US intelligence discovered the name of one of bin Laden's closest couriers, whom they suspected was involved in supporting the terrorist

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By late 2010, analysts were able to link the courier to a highly-secure compound in Abbottabad

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The compound's extensive security features and further intelligence prompted suspicion that the building was Osama bin Laden's hideout

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On April 29, 2011, President Barack Obama authorized a small special operations team, the elite SEAL Team Six, to carry out a raid on the compound

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The team began intense training for the operation, which included practising in a life-sized replica of the compound

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The actual mission, known as Operation Neptune Spear, officially started in the early hours of May 1

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President Obama, then Vice President Biden and others watched the entire raid from a situation room in White House. The group photo became one of the most viral moments of Obama's tenure

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Osama bin Laden, 9/11 attacks mastermind, was located on the third floor of the compound, and killed within 9 minutes. Shortly afterwards, President Obama announced it to the world

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