Osama killed by rapid-fire shots in chest and forehead

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A US commando team that fought its way upstairs at Osama bin Laden's compound killed the unarmed Al Qaeda leader with rapid-fire shots to his chest and forehead, US media reports said citing officials.

Bin Laden, who the White House said put up some form of resistance, was moving when he was first shot, Senator Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN.

Weapons were near bin Laden, who died on an upper floor of the compound toward the end of the 38-minute raid, she said. "He was right there and going to get those arms. You really can't take a chance."

Bin Laden was 'moving' at the time he was initially shot, CNN said citing an official who declined to describe those movements.

Previously, another US official said bin Laden was shot when he made a threatening move. When asked if bin Laden tried to grab a weapon or physically attack a commando, the official would only say, "He didn't hold up his hands and surrender."

The first shot hit bin Laden in the chest and the second struck him in the forehead just above the left eye, the official said.

A photo shows a gunshot wound to the head above the left eye, with the skull partially blown away, CNN said citing two sources who have seen a photograph of bin Laden's body.

Investigators, meanwhile, continued poring over materials gathered at bin Laden's hideout.

The haul includes 10 hard drives, five computers and more than 100 storage devices, such as disks, DVDs and thumb drives, CNN said citing a senior US official. The materials might provide clues on Al Qaeda members and potential plots for future attacks.

The commandos also recovered five cell phones, audio and video equipment, 'lots' of paper documents and some five guns, including AK-47s and pistols, it said.

The objects were 'hiding in plain sight', according to the official, who described the material as a treasure trove of information.

It appeared bin Laden had contingency plans while he stayed at the fenced compound.

Bin Laden had 500 euros in cash and two telephone numbers sewn into his clothing when he was killed, media reports said citing a congressional source present at a classified briefing on the operation.