Osama Bin Laden was asked to surrender by US troops before he was shot dead, Fox News is quoting intelligence sources as saying.

The terrorist leader had always said he would not be captured alive.

Bin Laden was shot dead during a raid by US ground troops on a compound in Pakistan. His body was captured by the Americans.

The troops landed in four helicopters. One of the helicopters suffered mechanical failure and was destroyed by the Americans. However none of the American soldiers were killed.

One of Bin Laden's sons was also killed in the operation.

President Barack Obama confirmed Bin Laden's death in a White House statement. Celebrations have erupted in Washington and New York. See separate stories.