When was bin laden killed

The Raid and Death

Osama bin Laden, founder and leader of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, was killed on May 2, 2011, in a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The operation, designated Operation Neptune Spear, was conducted by U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six with extensive support from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The raid took place in the early morning hours in Abbottabad, a military garrison town located approximately 35 miles north of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. The compound where bin Laden was found had been under surveillance for months, and U.S. intelligence agencies had gathered substantial evidence confirming his presence.

Operation Details

The operation involved a team of Navy SEALs who were transported by helicopter to the compound. The raid lasted approximately 40 minutes, during which the SEAL team engaged in combat with armed individuals inside the compound. Bin Laden was located on the third floor of the main building and was killed during the engagement.

Along with bin Laden, several other individuals were killed during the operation, including members of his family and associates. The death toll inside the compound included bin Laden's son Hamza and Ibrahim al-Kuwaiti, who served as one of his couriers.

Background and Significance

Bin Laden had been the world's most wanted terrorist for nearly a decade, primarily due to his role as the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, which killed nearly 3,000 people. Following the attacks, he became the focus of an intensive international manhunt.

For years, bin Laden's location remained unknown, though he was believed to be hiding in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. The discovery of his compound in Abbottabad surprised many, as it was located in a developed area rather than a remote mountain region.

Public Announcement

President Barack Obama announced bin Laden's death to the American public on the evening of May 1, 2011 (U.S. time), though the operation had occurred on May 2 in Pakistan due to time zone differences. The announcement marked a significant moment in the War on Terror and was widely celebrated in the United States.