Osama bin Laden, the face of global terrorism and architect of the Sept. 11 attacks, was killed in a firefight with elite US forces yesterday, then quickly buried at sea in a stunning finale to a furtive decade on the run.

Long believed to be hiding in caves, bin Laden was tracked down in a costly, custom-built hideout not far from a Pakistani military academy. The stunning news of his death prompted relief and euphoria outside the White House and around the globe, yet also fears of terrorist reprisals against the US and its allies.

“Justice has been done,” US President Barack Obama said in a dramatic announcement at the White House.