Following is the dramatic sequence of events that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
- August 2010: US President Barack Obama is briefed on a 'possible lead' about Osama's location. Residence of a courier with close ties with Osama is found in Abbottabad, north of Islamabad.
- September 2010: CIA works with Obama on a set of assessments that leads it to believe that Osama may be at the mansion in Abbottabad.
- February 2011: US officials conclude there was a 'sound intelligence basis' for pursuing Osama at the location.
- March, April 2011: Obama holds series of National Security Council (NSC) meetings 'to develop a course of action to bring Osama bin Laden to justice'. There were five NSC meetings between March 14 and April 28.
- April 2011: Obama believed there was enough credible intelligence about Osama's whereabouts, setting in motion US military operations.
- April 29, 2011: Obama gives final order to pursue the operation.
- May 1, 2011: Obama signs 'kill order' after getting intelligence confirmation.
- US Navy Seals fly to Islamabad to launch operation Sunday night.
- Navy Seals raid the compound. Launches assault in which three men - two of them Osama's couriers and one his son - are killed. A woman being used as a human shield is also killed.
- Osama bin Laden is shot dead.
- Operation lasts about 40 minutes. There is no US casualty. Loss of a helicopter due to mechanical failure.
- US troops carry out Osama's body to a helicopter.
- Osama buried at sea.
