CIA confirms that Osama’s photos will be published

Washington, May 4: After intense media speculation and conspiracy theories that emerged following the non-availability of pictures of slain al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden's corpse, the US has finally decided to break its silence.

The CIA has confirmed that the postmortem photograph of Osama, who was killed in a clandestine operation by an elite troop of Navy SEALS will indeed be published. The fact was revealed by CIA chief Leon Panetta on Tuesday.

Panetta has been quoted as saying to NBC News, “The bottom line is that, you know, we got bin Laden and I think we have to reveal to the rest of the world the fact that we were able to get him and kill him. The government obviously has been talking about how best to do this, but I don't think there's any question that ultimately a photograph would be presented to the public."

Citing the gruesomeness of the photo was told as the reason for delaying its release by White House spokesman Jay Carney. He also said they were undecided to release the picture.

The 'Kill Osama" or 'Operation Geronimo" operation as it was called was carried out in the town of Abbottabad in Pakistan. In an aerial operation that led to military personnel shooting down Osama dead on Sunday, another four people were also dead.

The troops apparently shot a picture of the corpse and send it over to the US to confirm its identity using facial recognition software that was further proved by the DNA test that was carried out on him.

Another picture of Osama"s distorted face after killing was doing the rounds was found to be fake. It was circulated extensively in certain media channels. (Read: US mulling releasing pictures of Osama bin Laden''s corpse)

OneIndia News