A YouTube travel vlogger visited the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011, only to find that the once-notorious site has since been turned into a cricket field for children.
For years the compound where Osama bin Laden was hidden in Bilal Town, Pakistan, was one of the most infamous locations in the world.
Today, however, it’s been changed into something far more innocent.
Travel YouTuber Luke runs the channel Luke On The Move and recently documented his visit to the site on his popular channel.
What he found surprised many.
The three-story building where bin Laden had spent his final years was demolished by Pakistani authorities back in 2012. The cleared land is now just an open plot used by neighborhood kids for cricket.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Osama bin Laden’s compound right here in Bilal Town,” Luke said in the video. “My first impression of the compound is that it’s been turned into a wonderful cricket field.”
The site where Osama bin Laden was killed
Bin Laden, the former leader of al-Qaeda, was killed by US Navy SEALs at the property on May 2, 2011, during a raid in Abbottabad.
The compound had drawn intense international attention over the years, largely due to the secrecy surrounding how he managed to remain hidden there for so long behind its high walls.
The building was torn down the following year, with Pakistani authorities reportedly concerned the site could otherwise become a magnet for tourists or a rallying point for extremists.
Vlogger joined kids for game of cricket
Walking across the now-empty plot, Luke spoke with some of the kids playing there and noted just how ordinary the space felt compared to its history.
“So clearly, as you can see, this place is no longer some big threat or negative area,” he said. “It’s just full of kids playing cricket, having fun, enjoying themselves. This is a harmless place.”
Some of the children picked up pieces of leftover concrete rubble; apparent remnants of the original structure, and handed them to him.
“That is crazy to be standing here touching this,” Luke said. “The US Navy SEALs arrived here at 3:00 in the morning to take out the world’s most wanted man. Wow. A piece of the compound. They’re just giving me pieces of Osama bin Laden’s compound.”
He also pointed out an interesting detail about the surrounding area: a Pakistani military academy sits just about a mile from the former compound.
Before wrapping up his visit, Luke joined the kids for a game of cricket.
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