Osama Bin Laden was killed early Monday in a fierce firefight with U.S forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The U.S. forces stormed a multi-million dollar mansion and shot dead the dreaded terrorist, his two sons, two couriers, and a woman believed to be Bin Laden's human shield. Two other women were injured in the attack.

Obama said it was victory for the U.S. forces as Bin Laden was believed to be the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, the Washington attack and several others. Bin Laden also topped FBI's 'Most Wanted' list and carried a $25 million bounty on his head.

The U.S. president said they had kept a watch on Bin Laden's mansion for several months before planning the attack. The mansion had 12ft-18ft walls and was eight times larger than other homes in the area. Surprisingly, it had no telephone or internet connection.

It was great day of victory for the United States as Bin Laden had evaded capture for several years. The targeted operation was 'shoot to kill' Bin Laden, according to a senior U.S. official.

While Pakistani PM Yusuf Raza Gilani has hailed the killing as a great victory, he said he was taken by surprise as Pakistan government wasn't informed of the operation. Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Bin Laden had paid for his actions.

U.S. President Barack Obama said that after gathering enough intelligence on Bin Laden, he had directed the U.S. forces to launch an attack on Monday.

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body. Obama said.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda, the president said..

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must -- and we will - remain vigilant at home and abroad, he added.

Former US President George W Bush described the news as a momentous achievement but said the fight against terror goes on.

But tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done, the former president, who announced a war against Bin Laden following the 9/11 attack, said.

Following are snapshots of people reacting to news of Bin Laden's death in the United States:

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Al-Qaeda Barack obama Pakistan George W. Bush