Obama: Osama bin Laden dead

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Nearly 10 years after a terrorist attack killed more than 3,000, Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. troops in Pakistan, President Barack Obama said Sunday night.

“His demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity," Obama said from the White House. "Justice has been done."

A senior Pakistani intelligence official confirmed that bin Laden was killed.

Bin Laden, the founder of the terrorist group al-Qaida, is thought to be the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S.

"After a fire fight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body," Obama said.

Obama said he authorized the targeted operation earlier Sunday. No Americans were injured in the attack, Obama said. U.S. intelligence officials learned of bin Laden's location, a secluded compound, in August.

The compound had no phone or Internet service, a senior White House official said following Obama's speech. In addition to bin Laden, three others, including a son and two couriers, were killed in the attack.

Gov. Nathan Deal, who was in Congress on Sept. 11, said late Sunday:

"We celebrate this victory against an embodiment of evil, and we remember and mourn the thousands of innocents who died at the hands of this murderer. Today, our great nation showed once again that we will stop at nothing to defeat those who threaten our people with terrorism."

The crowds gathered outside the White House late Sunday cheered and sang the national anthem.

In his speech to the American people Sunday night, Obama those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks will never be forgotten.

Return to ajc.com for updates.

- Aaron Gould Sheinin and the Associated Press contributed to this report.