How US Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, 15 years on a full timeline of the operation

Fifteen years ago on May 1, 2011, US Navy SEALs carried out a raid on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, killing al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The operation brought to a close a pursuit that had spanned more than 15 years and involved coordinated efforts across the US Intelligence Community. The mission followed the September 11, 2001 attacks, after which tracking bin Laden became a central priority for US agencies.
In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, the CIA intensified efforts to identify and track individuals linked to bin Laden. Intelligence over time pointed to a key courier associated with him, initially known only by a pseudonym before being connected to a real identity years later.

By late 2010, this intelligence led analysts to a fortified compound in Abbottabad, about 35 miles north of Islamabad. The property stood out due to its security features, including high boundary walls, restricted access, lack of visible communication links and the burning of waste. These indicators led to the assessment that bin Laden was likely hiding there.

Preparation and approval of the operation

The operation was authorised on April 29, 2011. US special operations forces conducted extensive preparations, including rehearsals using a full-scale replica of the compound to anticipate various scenarios and minimise risks to civilians.

A small team was selected for the mission to limit collateral damage and increase the chances of confirming bin Laden’s identity.

Timeline of the Abbottabad raid

May 1, 2011 EDT

1:25 pm EDT: President Barack Obama, CIA Director Leon Panetta and Joint Special Operations Command chief Admiral William McRaven approve the operation
1:51 pm EDT: Helicopters depart from Afghanistan
3:30 pm EDT: Two helicopters reach the Abbottabad compound; one crashes but the operation continues
3:32 pm EDT: President Obama receives real-time updates from the Situation Room
3:39 pm EDT: Osama bin Laden is located on the third floor and killed
3:53 pm EDT: Initial identification confirmation is received
3:55 pm EDT: His body is moved to the first floor
3:39 pm to 4:10 pm EDT: Forces collect intelligence materials from the compound
4:05 pm EDT: First helicopter departs
4:08 pm EDT: Crashed helicopter is destroyed
4:10 pm EDT: Backup helicopter evacuates remaining personnel and materials
5:53 pm EDT: Team returns to Afghanistan
7:01 pm EDT: High probability confirmation of identity is received
11:35 pm EDT: President Obama addresses the nation


May 2, 2011 EDT
12:59 am EDT: Bin Laden is buried at sea from the USS Carl Vinson in the north Arabian Sea

Intelligence findings after the raid

Materials recovered from the compound were examined by a multi-agency task force led by the CIA. The documents showed that bin Laden remained actively involved in directing al-Qaida’s strategy and operations while in hiding.

Correspondence also indicated that he had been planning to leave the Abbottabad compound in 2011, although this was not known to US intelligence before the raid.

Significance of the operation

The killing of bin Laden marked a major development in the US campaign against al-Qaida. As the group’s founder and leader, he played a central role in its operations, recruitment and targeting of the United States.

The operation reflected close coordination between intelligence and military agencies, with the CIA leading efforts to gather and analyse information that ultimately led to the successful mission.