Pakistan demolishing bin Laden compound: police

Feb 26, 2012 |

Peshawar

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Pakistani security forces on Saturday began demolishing the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed in a covert US raid in May in the northwestern garrison town of Abbottabad, police and witnesses said.

"Two bulldozers are engaged, the demolition work is in progress, it is being done by security forces, including troops," a police official on the spot told AFP by telephone on condition of anonymity.

The compound where bin Laden lived for several years has been under the control of the security forces since the Al-Qaeda leader was killed by US Navy SEALs.

"I am on security duty, I can see dust is coming out of the building," the official said.

Police have been deployed at the outer cordon and army troops are around the compound, manning the inner cordon, he said.

"We have received orders to be here," another police officer, Sameen Jan, said, confirming that the "compound is being demolished."

Witnesses said troops blocked access to the compound, brought heavy machinery and barred journalists from taking pictures or coming close to the site.

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