Pakistan demolishes a symbol of humiliation and incompetence

Pakistan pushed ahead yesterday with its surprise demolition of the compound where US commandos killed Osama bin Laden last year, in an attempt to erase a symbol of the colossal security failure that humiliated the nation and severely damaged ties with Washington. Heavy machines began tearing down the three-story compound on Saturday night under heavy security without the government providing advance notice.

By yesterday evening, workers had destroyed most of the compound.

Local residents expressed mixed feelings about the demolition, with some applauding the move and others saying the building should have been put to public use.

Shabbir Ahmed, a 22-year-old student in Abbottabad, said the presence of the compound sparked bad memories and made the lives of local residents more difficult. “We were searched and questioned every time we wanted to reach our homes,” he said. “When this symbol of evil is finally gone, people in the area will be able to rest.”