Stories of how Osama Bin Laden's dead body was handled, after he was killed, have emerged nearly 4 years after the world's most-wanted terrorist was killed by a special US-led mission in Pakistan's garrison town of Abbottabad.
A new book written as a memoir by former Central Investigation Agency (CIA) director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta claims that Laden's body, draped in black bag, was loaded with heavy metals before it was dropped into the sea, apparently to make sure that it sinks.
After Laden was shot dead on 2 May 2011, the body of the deadly terrorist was first transported by the US marines, flying an Osprey, to waiting aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson for his burial in the sea, Leon Panetta says in his book "Worthy Fights: A Memoir of Leadership in War and Peace", which hit the bookstores on Tuesday.
"Bin Laden's body was prepared for burial according to Muslim traditions, draped in a white shroud, given final prayers in Arabic, and then placed inside a heavy black bag," Panetta wrote.
"Three hundred pounds (136 kg) of iron chains were put inside as well, to ensure that the body would sink," he said. Panetta's reference to this incident was first noted by India Today.
"The bagged body was placed on a white table at the rail of the ship; the table was tipped over to drop the body into the sea. It was so heavy that it dragged the table in with it. As the body sank quickly out of sight, the table bobbed on the surface." He further said without identifying where exactly this happened.
So far details on the terrorist's death had been restricted only to the 'Operation Neptune Spear' carried out in a CIA-led operation. He was killed shortly after 1 am Pakistan time on 2 May 2011 by US navy SEALS of the US Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He was ambushed after special squads entered his house from air and fired at Laden and his family members.
US officials had revealed that Laden was 'buried' at sea as no country would accept his remains.
