Osama bin Laden Declared Dead

The world's most wanted terrorist and Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden - the alleged master-mind behind the 9/11 World Trade Centre (WTC) attacks in 2001 that killed more than 3,000 people - has officially been declared dead by the President of the United States of America (USA), Barack Obama.

The corpse of Laden is now in America, and a picture of a lacerated Laden is accompanying the reports of his death on the electronic media.

Making an official statement, Barack Obama said that Osama bin Laden was found hiding in the mountain ranges of Pakistan, and a targeted operation was launched against the compound in the district of Abbottabad (120km from Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad), where he was hiding. Firearms were discharged, and Laden was killed along with 20 others hiding with him.

Among those who lost their lives in the firing is one of Laden's adult sons.

No Americans or civilians were hurt in this operation carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), clarified Obama in his speech.

President Obama stated that Pakistan's co-operation was instrumental in the CIA's being able to locate and eliminate Laden. He explained that Pakistan extended its support to the USA after receiving reports that Laden was planning to attack the people of Pakistan.

The President thanked Pakistan for its help, and expressed hope that the country would continue to fight against terrorism.

"This is a fight against terrorism, not against Muslims," Obama was careful to mention.

The US State Department anticipates the eruption of anti-American violence in the face of Osama bin Laden's death, and US embassies all over the world have been alerted. US citizens residing abroad have been adviced to remain indoors and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations.

Washington has morphed into a party zone, with the Americans gathering outside the White House to celebrate the death of the terorrist who is believed to have orphaned and widowed thousands in the USA.

Those who lost their near and dear ones in the WTC attacks opined that justice had finally been served, wiping away the tears of joy from their faces.