Bin Laden was dead when NAVY Seals arrived: Book
In the book “No Easy Day”, a SEAL who used the pseudonym Mark Owen wrote that suppressed gunshots were heard when the team was less than five steps away from getting to the top. When the team members entered Bin Laden’s room, they saw his wife wailing over his body, the book added.
Owen also denied numerous reports that Bin Laden had a weapon and resisted when the Seals entered. He wrote that the al Qaeda leader was unarmed and had been fatally wounded with “blood and brains spilled out of the side of his skull”.
The writer also negated several other reports, and said that the Seals were not fired at outside the compound nor was there a 40-minute firefight.
Owen wrote that the raid ‘was being reported like a bad action movie’. “At first, it was funny because it was so wrong,” he added.
Pentagon says reviewing Bin Laden book
The Pentagon on Wednesday said it has obtained a copy of a soon-to-be-published book by a former Navy commando who participated in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden and is reviewing it.
The book was not cleared by US defense officials in advance, raising the possibility that the author could face an investigation and possible criminal prosecution.
"We have obtained a copy and are reviewing it," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told Reuters.
"No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama Bin Laden" was written under the pseudonym Mark Owen with co-author Kevin Maurer and was to be released next month on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Its publication has been moved up to September 4, according to reports by some media outlets.
National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor on Wednesday had no comment on the book, but said: "As President Obama said on the night that justice was brought to Osama bin Laden, 'We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country.'"
The former SEAL is now facing threats against his life in addition to possible charges. Officials have said the military would take legal action against anyone who exposed sensitive information that could harm fellow forces.
Earlier this month US officials said they were surprised by the book, which was not vetted by government agencies to ensure that no secrets were revealed.
COMMENTS (72)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Roxane Blake: Bigsaf: Dear Roxane, Bigsaf, I think you are a little confused. On the day of 9/11 a group of Israeli Mossad agents were noticed to be dancing and celebrating when the twin towers fell. They were arrested and later released. Further, in regard to confessions by Al Qaeda, it may have come to your attention that America has incarcerated many people over the last ten years in its torture camps. It is amazing how people have a habit of confessing when they are being tortured. However, to my knowledge the Americans have not yet brought anybody to trial in a civil court, and there has been no trial of any significance in a US military court. The US, supposedly, had its great moment to bring Osama bin Laden to trial but decided to relinquish the opportunity at Abbottabad, and fed him to the fishes in the Indian Ocean. Oh, and by the way, the Taliban have never been accused of being involved in 9/11. The only thing the Taliban could be accused of is that they have resisted a criminal and hostile invasion force, and they do not treat their women folk the way Westerners do. Additionally, you appear to be concerned about innocent people. Tell me, who killed a million or so innocents in Iraq, and raised cities such as Falluga to the ground, using illegal weapons such as white phosphorus and depleted uranium.
@Sexton Blake:
Al Qaeda and its members have made many statements over the years claiming it, and it is not just one confession. Initially they denied it, including OBL, though he praised it, but they have taken credit for it over the years, even as so much as so amusingly take issue with Iran for suggesting otherwise conspiracies.
You may not believe the supposed 'CIA backed' terrorist group for taking credit for an 'inside job', ironically also CIA backed as claimed by conspiracists, but they admitted it many times. Whether or not you believe them or think its a false confession is up to you...but there is no denying the simple fact that they put out numerous statements taking ownership and would be ridiculous arguing 'oh no they didn't admit it'.
@Sexton Blake: How come everything is fake & made-up because you like to believe it your way? Taliban danced and laughed when the Twin Towers fell. They wanted it to fall, they attempted but failed twice. You think all the suicide bombing specially the "Underwear" bomber, the Shoe bomber, USS Cole bomber, Christmas Bomber, Detroit Bomber, Mumbai bomber, Israel bus & Cafe bombers are all someone's conspiracy? Palestinian were the pioneer of Suicide bombing & Plane hijacking what's the big deal for them if they crashed it like Japanese Kamikaze of WWII. Mohammad Atta's father accepts it & even call him as 9/11 martyr. Tell me, Who killed 35,000 innocents Pak Citizens, by the way? Who is behind that? You know you can deny anything and every thing but when Uncle shows-up at the door, make sure you have paid your debt and did enough good deeds for the community you feed off of!
@bigsaf: Dear bigsaf, You have it wrong. The so called Al Qaeda 9/11 confession is pure fiction, was admittedly created by the CIA to distract attention away from the fact that 9/11 was an inside job, and the FBI have never listed Osama bi Laden as the 9/11 culprit. Additionally, Al Qaeda is a CIA creation, is a terrorist organization, and is currently being used in Syria to fight the legitimate Government there.
another book will say obl was dead 6 years ago and so on. we will never know the real official thing. i cannot believe what ever twisted truth our world media speak out or written in books. gadafi and saddam died video shown end of story. where is the evidence, the body of OBL killed then in abotabad. he may have died in tora bora in afghanistan or some place else.
@Sexton Blake:
Al Qaeda admitted the 9/11 attacks numerous times and you were wrong to claim otherwise. Admit to the mistake instead of ranting and deflecting into conspiracy drivel. Regardless of the fact that the Neo-cons and the US govt need to be nailed for the deceit and war crimes thereafter, no self-respecting Muslim can excuse OBL and his murderous organization, whether before, during and after. And that was my original point to Maher.
@LuvPak: Dear Luvpak, Bigsaf,. The Pentagon has more CCTV's than any other building in the world. With these cameras plus the external private CCTV's that were confiscated they add up to a lot of surveillance. When the Pentagon releases footage of a Boeing aircraft crashing into the Pentagon I might start having some doubts about 9/11 conspiracies. Oh, and there are about a couple of hundred other serious questions which require answering, such as where did the thermite in the twin towers come from. But then Americans do not tell lies do they? Just ask Colin Powell who got up in the UN and stated that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and produced pictures to prove it. Unfortunately, after bombing Iraq into the stone-age and killing untold hundreds of thousands, including children, he could not find any weapons of mass destruction. No, I will not believe any more ridiculous American official stories. You see Bigsaf, those guys in Washington really do obviate, which of course is obvious to anybody who wishes to look for the truth..
@Sexton Blake:
As LuvPak correctly pointed out, Al Qaeda acknowledged it a good number of times, online, in their magazine and from Zawahiri himself who is still alive. I will not entertain any more ridiculous 9/11 conspiracy nonsense and misinformation.
As I said, if you're still in warped denial, there is more than enough evidence of Al Qaeda's violence pre and post 9/11.
@Sexton Blake: Well, not all that come from Arabia is word-of-God! They have turned back from their preaching about "it's a U.S scheme" after recent Al-Zawahiri 's claim of owning WTC 9/11 Plane Crash that you probably missed to see him saying on AlQaida website.
@bigsaf: Dear bigsaf, You have got it wrong. Al Qaeda did not admit to 9/11. This was an admitted put up job by American Intelligence.
@the real mullah: Real or fake I am not sure but you definitely got your facts twisted friend. It is the US that is responsible for millions of deaths. Osama was a very dear friend of the Americans Al along when fighting the Russians. But of course the royal family picked up the bill and as long as Saudis pay the bill, the Americans will do anything. So at the end they v went after their own fighter who they had trained and sponsored themselves not to long ago. Osama has not done anything anywhere near as this built the US. Remember Japan and the nukes that were used by the Americans. Those must have killed a few millions just on that day alone.
@Maher:
Just disgusted with this shameless religious extremist terrorist support. Yea, I guess one would be in awe of his organizational setup, planning and goals, which included indoctrination, militancy and suicide bombings worldwide.
Al Qaeda admitted to 9/11, and there's more than evidence to say it. Even if you spin in denial, OBL himself admitted to the Kenyan US embassy bombing earlier and Al Qaeda took the lead in suicide bombings in Iraq and Pakistan, which included the Marriott bombing.
They all included deaths of innocents. But go ahead betray the victims and crown this criminal munafiq kharijite mass murderer, whose organization killed thousand of Muslims, non-Muslims, including Pakistanis, as your great leader.
Oh what a tangled web they weave when first they practice to deceive, Obama the great deceiver in chief has lied about this whole episode! On BBC TV news night and the Frost program Benezir Bhotto made clear that Bin Laden died in late 2001 either from Marphans disease or was shot and killed by a CIA photographer! who knows? but it is certain Bin Laden was not the victim of seal team six in Abbattabad. The whole story stinks to high heaven.40 minute gun battle! yet the glass in all the windows remained in tact, no bullet holes in the walls the story of helicopter flight to carry the body to a ship in the Indian ocean 2000 plus kilometers to the south way beyond any helicopter range and buried at sea. The greatest intelligence coup and asset in the world and he was supposedly killed out of hand. Now we learn that the CIA are directing Al-Qaeda in Syria wow !
@Cautious: Dear Cautious, I was hoping that Wikipedia would list the, post WWII, unprovoked attacks on 37 countries by American hostile invasion forces. I think it is called mass murder, but in retrospect, that does not appear to bother you, or at the very least you ignore it unless it goes the way you want it to..
"At first, it was funny because it was so wrong." Looks like this fellow is trolling Pak Army here.
Just another 'confirmation' of OBL's death ;-)
immortalizing OBL (Preferred death to surrender) sounds cheexy
Lol, all you idiots commenting about something that might never have happened. They never showed any proof regarding his death. It should have been a prized trophy for them, but they dumped the body in sea. That convenient haan?
Dude! You need to learn something from Neil Armstrong how he manages to hide the truth from rest of the world till his last breath!!
@Imran Con: Numbers: It has become quite apparent that the only people American troops kill or wound are non-combatants. They seem to excel at throwing grenades into peoples houses in the middle of the night when everybody is sleeping. In regard to Number's having problems in finding real 9/11 facts go to a computer. It is quite simple really. Click the on switch, use a mouse and keyboard, do a search for real facts about 9/11, and bingo, up they come. Even mentally challenged people can find them. If you continue to have problems finding real 9/11 facts, as against the official version, please keep me advised
@ All of you..
Yes OBL was a Great Leader and WHY a Great Leader? Have you guys ever seen the system of Al-Qaeda, the way he managed this whole setup, his organograms, reporting, planning etc? The way he led Al-Qaeda shows signs of a great leader.. Of-course killing innocent people is wrong but how can we say that whatever damages have been done it was done by Al-Qaeda and not by a planned CIA/ FBI? 911 is a deep play and involved alot of BRAINSTORMING...
ET is trying to sanitize the history to take away the credit from the Seal, by unethical reporting. This is not what other news outlets are reporting. In digital instant news world people do check multiple sources. This is one way to loose credibility. This report by ET will be part of Abbottabad commission report.
What the supposed SEAL said makes no sense. There's something that smells about that "Owen" guy. It leaves the bullet in his wife's leg out. It doesn't matter if you want to twist it to suite your conspiracy needs but, a bullet to the leg and nowhere else is a clear sign of the procedure being followed in the circumstances of the original story of how the raid went down. Even considering who it was and their purpose in raiding it, they're not going to shoot a woman who is wailing over her dead husband's body in her leg just because they missed some action.
@Peace On Earth: go ahed burn all ur documents.. I think pakistan also dont need u..
@Complex: WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR "YOUR" FACTS ABOUT 9/11!
@Complex: Please submit a list of the "hundreds of books & documentaries proving that 9/11 was an inside job"! WE ARE ALL WAITING!!!
You know, that's the benefit of a lie! How are you going to prove when no one else was there? Our guards don't even know he was in the house, the intruders are so powerful they can take your Chief from his bedroom & you will have no clue for months. The person in question is wanted by the U.S as much as the Saudis. ISI & JI are clueless they claimed unlike Khalid Sheikh Mohammad capture from JI member's house. Muslim Extremists love the bucks. The Country's Public record of ownership of Cars, Trucks, houses, passports or visas is a sham. Currently there is a fierce tussle going on among the Brass, the judiciary, the Govt, the opposition and the Talibans for power & control. In the backdrop if our "friends" have permission to play with our religious sentiments on "our permission" why can't we suggest the book idea to the one who dole us the bucks? Beside, we are too busy in killing our brothers in cold blood. They atleast tried a nice book with a decent work of literature as the cover story of the kill, plus some bucks for the writer from sale? Now what do you think about that? That's Romans way of doing things though!
Fascinating. According to the BBC the book indicates the author heard gunshots from the lead commando just before they entered the bedroom where they found OBL with a gunshot wound to the head. The whole controversy is limited to the possibility that OBL was shot as he put his head out the door to see what was happening vs "reaching for a gun". Who cares - OBL got what he deserved.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19409426
@Maher: Great Leader??
Yes,a leader so great that he was chilling with his 3 wives in a mansion having a luxurious life while urging everyone around the world to fight for his perceived jihad....
@Javed Afridi: Actually it was NOT sanctioned and that's why the author may be in trouble if the US government decides that he has revealed state secrets...
@Sexton Blake
In case you have been living in a cave for the last couple of decades here a listing of the Al Qaeda events you have missed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timelineofal-Qaeda_attacks
Then a FIR should be launched at abbotabad police station
Please watch this video by Ex Prime Minister quoting that omer sheikh murdered OBL. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKDYZfEbEow
The book has exposed the claim of President Barrack Obama who praised his SEAL over the so-called successful operation. And Osama did what had earlier been reported that he would prefer death over arrest by the Americans. How Obama will now use this drama for his election.
if OBL committed suicide then he commited a haram act.
@Cautious: So what about the crazy and fanatics he left behind... who killed and behead families who were just enjoying the music... who killed Muslims in the name of Allah..... May Allah protect us and help us to change the negative perception of our religion Islam all over the world... By showing Peace , Tolerance and Humanity Ameen
http://www.saach.tv/2012/08/29/bin-laden-book-pak-media-twist-facts/ Bin Laden book: Pak media twist facts
@Maher: "Great Leader"! I guess it was a type
@Cautious: Dear Cautious, It is is of some relief to know that you are concerned with people being murdered, particularly mass murder, which America seems to excel at. I am not really sure who Obama bin Laden murdered, because we only have US propaganda to rely on, and if you are referring to 9/11 I am not aware of any US assertions that would stand up in a courtroom of any standing, which of course would need to be held outside the US if real justice was required. However, moving on a little I could list the various types of death which occur in the US, and this would include abducted children of 120,00 per year, Listing the types of deaths would take up a lot of space, but between 2001-2009 about 20 million people died from all causes. As a percentage, the people who supposedly died from terrorism in the US amounted to 3,000. I am only reasonable at statistics but 3,000 people work out at 0.015%. Contrast this with the 2 million people who have died in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as a result of US activities. I would say that America is well ahead; wouldn't you? Who do you suggest we bring to book over these mass murders?
@Mirza: I don't know from where are you getting those facts??? from the same liars??
@Maher Please be sane and stop creating heros out of cowards & mass murderers like OBL or the burqa-runner Abdul Aziz.
If US president can lie about Raymond Davis being a diplomat, what credibility Pentagon's version of OBL operation remains. We have already heard about WMD from USA, it's time we recognize the tactics of our and muslim's enemy no. 1.
A book sanctioned by the US well in advance and aimed at proving that Osama bin Bush was indeed here in Pakistan on the day of the attack.. Bahhhhhhh
What ever comes out of USA is surely half lies ! (Minimum). here is an interesting variation. which ties the helicopter crash in Abbottabad with the one a few days later in Afghanistan.
Corroboration to the story can only come from PAK since they have interviewed OBL wife after the raid while they were in custody.
However,I doubt very much OBL killed himself or asked some one to shoot him. One of the navy seals likely shot him, and the author -seal when he entered likely saw just shot OBL by his team mates.
If I remember correctly, the news reports and subsequent interviews by others have said that seals transmitted "EKA" , meaning "enemy killed in action".
In any case, I am sure PAK press will now fill in the gap.
He is not dead, his mission is being carried out by his followers and freedom fighters of TTP. Other day they beheaded 12 persons for dancing in a wedding.
But the main issue is getting ignored here by all: by accepting this book, we are accepting again the stories from people who tried to sell us the Iraq war and likes. The show is good for Obama though
@Complex:
Oh my God. How many people are this lazy and crazy? Or is this just confirmation bias? Anyway, people who are still 9/11 Truthers, just watch this 5 minute video deconstructing the perpetuated conspiracy theories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UULUQfEQFuU
They came, they got their man and they left before the Pakistani army could do anything about it...
it was heroic...whether he was show when he peeked out of his room is irrelevant..
We like to pick and choose the news which confirms our preconceived ideas. The US and its army are liars but this book is like a holy book for some. It is all capitalism and a chance to make money. The basic facts remain the same. OBL was killed by one shot to his head on that night period. More importantly OBL was a guest in our army base and their land.
Election time stunt by a Navy seal (probably supporter of Romney) to take away some credit from Barack Obama for this achievement.
I don't care who shot him - just glad he's not around to commit mass murder.
US will never let the world to forget OBL and 9/11 ? Understood .
Bin Laden was shot by SEALs as he peaked from his room so it's true when they entered his room he was dead but the way ET wrote this it makes it look like he commited suicide but that's not true. It was clear from day one that US officials were over-exaggerating the raid in an attempt to make the raid appear as heroic as possible so they got many facts wrong.
@Maher: great leader? He is one responsible for millions of deaths and a war that has been going on for a decade! even if he killed himself, he is a shame for whole world n for muslims
I think every body can cook some facts to sell a book for spreading propaganda, getting fame and money
how about a book on what he was doing there in the first place?
Please search and read you tube comments of Benazir on Osamas Death, Osama was murdered before the death of Benazir. His dead body was in the hands of Pakistani Army and was handed over to Americans, There was no family in the house it was a diversion for the whole world.
Apparently it was suicide by OBL and perhaps justified in situations when getting captured by enemy is more harmful to the cause than living a miserable short life. However, the book looks more of a fiction than reality and surely meant to earn money, lot of money in fact.
propagandist
such books do nothing but propaganda of America. Tribune never publishes about hundreds of books & documentaries proving that 9/11 was an inside job.
Another hook to sell the book :P
contradictions! There is lots of mystery in that raid.
True lies