WASHINGTON - US officials said that the Navy SEALs who stormed Osama bin Laden's compound shot and killed him after they saw him appear to lunge for a weapon.

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The officials, who were briefed on the operation, say several weapons were found in the room where the terror chief died, including AK-47s and personal side arms.

The officials also say a US commando grabbed a woman who charged toward the group. The fear, the officials say, is that she might have been wearing a suicide vest. The Navy SEAL pulled the woman away from his fellow SEALs.

The officials further say the two dozen SEALs involved in the operation are back at their home base outside Virginia Beach, Virginia, and that the extensive debriefing they underwent is complete.