U.S. kills bin Laden in intelligence-driven operation

by John D. Banusiewicz American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- An intelligence-driven U.S. operation in Pakistan killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden yesterday. At the direction of the United States president, a targeted operation was launched against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. U.S. forces killed bin Laden, the elusive leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network, outside Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 1. Bin Laden had been a target of U.S. forces since the 1990s, when al-Qaida bombed the World Trade Center and the U.S. Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. The hunt grew after the USS Cole bombing in 2000, and then became a focal point after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S. The attack ends a manhunt of almost 10 years. Bin Laden and his henchmen planned and executed the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that killed 3,000 innocent Americans in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. CIA Director Leon E. Panetta was ordered to make bin Laden's death or capture the top priority of the U.S. war against the al-Qaida terrorist organization. After years of painstaking work by [the] intelligence community, the president was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground," stated Obama. The president said he met repeatedly with his national security team as information developed indicating bin Laden was at a compound in Pakistan, and that last week he determined enough information was available and authorized the operation. The president emphasized that the war against al-Qaida is not a war against Islam. "Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader," he said. "He was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al-Qaida has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity." Counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped in finding bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding, the president said. "Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people. Tonight, I called [Pakistani] President [Asif Ali] Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations, and going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al-Qaida and its affiliates." The president praised those who worked to find bin Laden and those who carried out the operation that killed him. "Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who've worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome," he said. "The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice. "We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation," he continued, "for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day."