The search for the mastermind of 9/11 attacks- Osama bin Laden, was one of the most intensive manhunts in history. His eventual capture and assassination was a result of intelligence gathering, surveillance, covert operations and many other functions coming together.
Just days before the 2004 US presidential election, a tape surfaced featuring Osama bin Laden. He took direct responsibility for the attacks adding fuel to the already intense hunt for him. CIA Headquarters in Virginia were unable to locate him although they did have some leads about Osama evading to Afghanistan yet they all hit a dead end.
A breakthrough came with the arrest of Mohammed al-Qahtani. The US claimed that they had proofs of his attempts to enter the US just before 9/11. This led investigators to uncover connections between al-Qahtani and key figures involved in the attacks. Interrogations of al-Qahtani and other al-Qaeda captives provided valuable insights into Osama Bin Laden’s group structure and operations.
The next chapter in the tale was the arrest of Hassan Ghul. He revealed Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti as bin Laden’s personal courier. The CIA eventually identifyed him as Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed and arrested him. Surveillance of Kuwaiti eventually led to a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where Osama bin Laden was suspected to be hiding.
The Day Osama Bin Laden Died
On May 1st, 2011, a team of Navy SEALs attempted a daring raid of the suspected compound. The team was equipped with stealth technology and they stormed the compound. The rigorous raid led to the assassination of Osama bin Laden. It brought an end to a decade-long manhunt.
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The mission’s success was a testament to years of meticulous intelligence gathering and cooperation between various agencies. As per the USA, hunt for bin Laden demonstrated their commitment to tracking down those responsible for the deadliest attack. However, it also raised controversies around interrogation techniques and the legality of unilateral military operations in foreign territory.
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