Osama bin Laden IS DEAD

Monday, May 2, 2011

As celebrations break out following bin Laden's death, U.S. officials warn of terror group's retaliation.

Americans Put on Alert Amid Warnings of Al Qaeda Retaliation

As Americans celebrated the news that Usama bin Laden had been killed following a decade-long international manhunt, they also faced renewed warnings that Al Qaeda and its affiliates may seek to exact revenge for the killing of their longtime leader.

U.S. officials, while congratulating the CIA-led SEALs team that took down bin Laden, sent out a wave of alerts overnight about the possibility of retaliation.

"They want to avenge this," Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told Fox News.

Authorities have sent a notice to diplomatic personnel around the world telling them U.S. "diplomatic facilities" are now on "high alert" after bin Laden's death. The notice described the security situation as "severe," though it noted "no specific security threats have been identified."

The New York and Los Angeles police departments have both issued alerts to officers in the field, telling them to be particularly vigilant in light of bin Laden's death.

The State Department overnight also issued a travel alert to U.S. citizens abroad, urging caution "in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence." The department instructed Americans to limit travel outside their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings.

The Department of Homeland Security sent out a warning that offered a bit more detail. The warning, obtained by Fox News, said Al Qaeda affiliates "may seek to accelerate plotting efforts in the homeland, particularly Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula."

That Yemen-based offshoot has been blamed for two attempted attacks on the U.S. since December 2009, most notably the so-called Christmas Day bombing plot. The Homeland Security alert noted that the affiliate's online magazine, Inspire, "provides encouragement and instructions for individuals in the United States to conduct attacks here without traveling overseas to receive training and support."

Former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told Fox News that there are two scenarios he's particularly worried about. First, he said the Yemen-based Al Qaeda affiliate could continue to move forward with planning on attacks on America in response. He also said the bin Laden strike could trigger a "spontaneous reaction" from a lone-wolf sympathizer.

The LAPD alert cited a similar concern, warning of "attacks that might originate with individuals in the Homeland sympathetic to AQ but lacking a formal group association."

King, R-N.Y., said the intelligence community is surely on the lookout for any signs of an emerging retaliatory plot.

"For a while, Al Qaeda's going to be off its game, but they will recoup quickly enough," King told Fox News. "We have to move quickly now to take advantage of this temporary confusion with Al Qaeda, but also we have to be on our guard because they have suffered a massive defeat and Al Qaeda's going to want to avenge this as quickly as they possibly can."

Security Beefed Up at U.S. Airports, World Trade Center Site After Bin Laden Death

Some local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. were adding security measures Monday following Usama bin Laden's death, out of what one called "an abundance of caution."

In Los Angeles, police were stepping up intelligence monitoring, and New Yorkers will see extra police at their airports, bridges and the World Trade Center site itself.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it will add more police at the facilities it runs, which include the airports, the George Washington Bridge and ground zero. The measures aren't a response to any current threat and all the facilities will operate normally otherwise, the Port Authority said.

"This response is not based on a current threat, but out of an abundance of caution until we have the chance to learn more," the agency said.

Eighty-four Port Authority employees died in the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly issued a message to all police commands reminding them that while there's no information indicating a specific threat to the nation's biggest city, officers should remain alert.

In Los Angeles, a top counterterrorism commander said police will be stepping up intelligence monitoring.

Assistant Commanding Officer Blake Chow, who heads the department's counterterrorism and special operations bureau, said Sunday night that officers will be keeping a close ear on intelligence buzz to develop immediate response plans accordingly.

Police in Philadelphia were on heightened alert, checking on mosques and synagogues every hour, Lt. Raymond J. Evers said.

Washington's Metro transit system is also stepping up security as a precaution. Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said Metro Transit Police are working with area law enforcement partners to increase security in the system. She said customers are likely to see more uniformed officers in the system beginning Monday.

Farbstein said there are also other security measures in place that are designed to be invisible to the public.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Bin Laden Killed by CIA-Led SEALs Team, Death Hailed as Blow to Al Qaeda

Years of tracking the world's most-wanted terrorist culminated Sunday afternoon, when a CIA-led Navy SEALs squadron of just a few dozen men stormed Usama bin Laden's compound and killed him.

President Obama announced the results of the top-secret operation late Sunday night, calling it the most significant blow to Al Qaeda to date. Within hours, the architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that killed more than 3,000 people was buried at sea.

Though the president offered only sparse information on the mission and the intelligence that led to it, details have since emerged about the heroic actions of the small, elite team dispatched to Pakistan by an order from the president last week.

According to officials, a 40-man Navy SEALs squadron raided bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. As officials described it, the raid was swift -- the team was on the compound for less than 40 minutes and did not run into any local authorities during the firefight.

At the start of the operation, four U.S.-owned and operated helicopters launched from a base in Afghanistan and dropped about 24 men onto the grounds of the compound. One helicopter suffered a "hard landing" after experiencing a "flight control issue" and had to be destroyed on

At first, bin Laden was asked to surrender. But a military official said he resisted. In the end, he was killed in the ensuing firefight with a bullet to the head.

No Americans were hurt or killed during the raid. Besides bin Laden, three other men were killed, one of whom is believed to be bin Laden's 24-year-old son. One woman used as a human shield was also killed, and two other women were injured.

The operation itself stemmed from a tip that came to Obama's desk last August. Specifically, U.S. officials were tracking an Al Qaeda courier in Pakistan, based on information obtained from multiple detainees, and determined the location of the compound in Pakistan where the courier and his brother operated. It was built on a large plot of land, and was heavily secured, with 12-to-18-foot walls topped with barbed wire, officials said. Intelligence analysts determined the compound "was custom-built to hide someone of significance," a senior administration official said.

After months of analyzing the information, U.S. officials began holding high-level meetings about how to proceed earlier this year.

On April 29, Obama gave the order to conduct the operation. The actual mission was supposed to happen Saturday night, but it was delayed due to weather.

The highly trained special forces unit had been practicing the raid a week in advance.

In announcing the successful completion, Obama said Sunday night that bin Laden's death "is a testament to the greatness of our country."

"For over two decades, bin Laden has been Al Qaeda's leader and symbol," Obama said. "The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat Al Qaeda."

In a message to employees, CIA Director Leon Panetta said Monday that "we have rid the world of the most infamous terrorist of our time."

"Nothing will ever compensate for the pain and suffering inflicted by this mass murderer and his henchmen. But just as evil never rests, neither does good. May the fact that Usama Bin Ladin no longer inhabits the earth be a source of comfort for the thousands of families, here in America and around the globe, who mourn the victims of Al Qaeda's barbarity," he wrote.

He added that while bin Laden is dead, "Al Qaeda is not."

In the wake of bin Laden's death, authorities around the world are being urged to take security precautions. One source said officials are concerned bin Laden's death could incite violence or terrorist acts against U.S. personnel overseas.

The State Department issued a travel alert for U.S. citizens abroad overnight, citing "the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counterterrorism activity in Pakistan."

Obama said Americans must continue to be "vigilant." But he said the death of the architect of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil should be welcomed around the world.

"Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims," Obama said. "So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity."

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin, Justin Fishel and Catherine Herridge contributed to this report.

Usama Bin Laden Killed in Firefight With U.S. Special Ops Team in Pakistan

In this April 1998 file photo, exiled Al Qaeda leader Usama bin Laden is seen in Afghanistan. (AP)

Declaring “justice has been done,” President Obama announced late Sunday that Usama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan, marking the end of the worldwide manhunt that began nearly a decade ago on Sept. 11, 2001.

The president made the stunning announcement within hours of informing congressional leaders. He said bin Laden was killed Sunday, the culmination of years of intelligence gathering. The news drew a large crowd to the front of the White House, as well as in Times Square, as people chanted “U-S-A. U-S-A.”

Obama, in his address to the nation shortly before midnight, thanked the Americans who have toiled in pursuit of bin Laden and applauded those who carried out the successful mission in Pakistan. Describing that mission only briefly, he said its result “is a testament to the greatness of our country.”

“For over two decades, bin Laden has been Al Qaeda’s leader and symbol,” Obama said. “The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat Al Qaeda.”

The president traced the death of bin Laden to a tip received last August. He said he was briefed at the time on the “possible lead,” and that after months of intelligence work it was determined bin Laden was hiding in a compound “deep” inside Pakistan. Obama said, after determining the intelligence was sound, he authorized the operation to bring him to justice last week.

He said a “small team” of Americans went after bin Laden in Abbottabad on Sunday. “After a firefight, they killed Usama bin Laden and took custody of his body,” the president said.

Senior administration officials, in a briefing with reporters, afterward said the administration had determined by February that they would pursue the compound "custom built to hide someone of significance" in Pakistan. This decision led to a series of national security meetings starting in March to develop a course of action. Obama gave the final order to pursue the operation on April 29, officials said.

The house was 100 yards from the gate of the Kakul Military Academy, an army-run institution where top officers train. A Pakistan intelligence official said the property where bin Laden was staying was 3,000 square feet.

At 3:30 p.m. EST, a 40-man Navy Seals squadron raided a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, killing the Al Qaeda leader with a bullet to the head.

Four Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters dropped 24 men on the compound. One helicopter suffered a "hard landing" inside the compound after experiencing a mechanical failure and had to be destroyed on the site, according to one defense official.

There was a large shootout. The residents at the compound resisted. The total raid took 40 minutes.

No Americans were killed in the mission Sunday. Officials said three adult men other than bin Laden were killed – one was believed to be bin Laden’s son, the others couriers. One woman was killed when she was used as a human shield and two other women were also injured, the officials said.

Abbottabad resident Mohammad Haroon Rasheed said the raid happened about 1:15 a.m. local time.

"I heard a thundering sound, followed by heavy firing. Then firing suddenly stopped. Then more thundering, then a big blast," he said. "In the morning when we went out to see what happened, some helicopter wreckage was lying in an open field."

"Intelligence analysts concluded that this compound was custom-built to hide someone of significance," he said.

In the wake of bin Laden’s death, authorities around the world are being urged to take security precautions. One source said officials are concerned bin Laden’s death could incite violence or terrorist acts against U.S. personnel overseas.

The State Department issued a travel alert for U.S. citizens abroad overnight, citing “the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan.”

Obama said Americans must continue to be “vigilant.” But he said the death of the architect of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil should be welcomed around the world.

“Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims,” Obama said. “So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.”

Sources said the vice president informed congressional leaders late Sunday night that the world’s most wanted man had been killed.

Officials said bin Laden’s body, which was in U.S. custody, was given a sea burial.

The announcement comes nearly a decade after the 2001 terror attacks that triggered the Afghanistan war and started a tireless hunt for the terrorist mastermind and Al Qaeda leader.

In recent years, that hunt had increasingly led U.S. intelligence across the border and into Pakistan, where Al Qaeda is thought to be concentrated.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin, Justin Fishel and the Associated Press contributed to this report.