After nearly a decade of hunting Osama bin Laden, a breakthrough came in August of 2010 when Bin Laden’s most trusted courier was located and indentified. What followed was eight months of painstaking intelligence work, culminating in a helicopter assault in Abbottabad, Pakistan by American military and intelligence operatives that ended in the death of Bin Laden.
The Assault on Bin Laden’s Compound
The raid of Bin Laden's compound lasted about 40 minutes. Two men, believed to be his couriers, and a woman, were killed in a building on the southern end of the compound. After much resistance, Bin Laden was shot in the head in a gun battle on the second or third floor of the main building. A man thought to be his son was also killed, and two women were wounded.
Updated: 3:00 PM ET
Finding the Town Where He Was Hiding
While Bin Laden had long been rumored to be hiding in remote tribal areas along the Pakistani-Afghan border, he had been living near the Pakistani military academy in Abbottabad, a medium-sized city.
Updated: 3:00 PM ET
The Search Narrows to an Isolated Compound
Bin Laden's massive, highly secure compound was at the end of a narrow dirt road and about eight times larger than other homes in the area. It had no telephone or Internet connections.
Updated: 3:00 PM ET
Intelligence Leading to Bin Laden’s Capture
Four years ago — American intelligence for the first time uncovers the name of Osama bin Laden's trusted courier but cannot locate him.
Two years ago — American intelligence identifies areas in Pakistan where the courier and his brother have operated but cannot pinpoint exactly where they live.
August 1, 2010 — American intelligence locates the brothers' residence, a compound in Abbottabad. The compound is so large, secluded and secured that analysts conclude it must shelter a high value target.
September 1, 2010 — The C.I.A. begins to work with President Obama on assessments that lead them to believe that Bin Laden may be located at the compound.
Mid-February 2011 — United States government authorities determine that there was a sound intelligence basis to pursue this aggressively and develop courses of action.
March 14-28, 2011 — Mr. Obama holds a series of National Security Council meetings to develop options for capturing or killing Bin Laden.
April 29, 2011 — Mr. Obama authorizes the operation before flying to Alabama to inspect tornado damage.
May 1, 2011, 4-4:30 p.m. — United States forces raid Bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad. Bin Laden and three other men are killed in a firefight. A woman was killed when she was used as a shield by a male combatant.
May 1, 2011, 11:35 p.m. — Mr. Obama announces Bin Laden's death to the world.
