WASHINGTON - A US official says Osama bin Laden was shot above his left eye and the bullet blew away part of his skull.

The precision kill shot was delivered by a member of the Navy's elite SEAL Team Six during a pre-dawn raid Monday on bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan.

Photos of bin Laden's injuries were transmitted to Washington as proof that the mission was a success.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.