The Taliban, one of Osama bin Laden's closest allies, confirmed late Friday that the al Qaeda founder had been killed by US commandos during a raid in Pakistan.

The admission by the Taliban comes on the heels of one earlier in the day by al Qaeda, removing any question about whether bin Laden's closest allies and his terror network believed he was dead.

Bin Laden "embraced martyrdom as per the Will of the Almighty Allah during an abrupt attack by the American invading soldiers," according to a statement released by the Afghan Taliban.

Earlier on Friday global terrorist network Al Qaeda confirmed the man US forces have hunted down is its leader Osama bin Laden.

Al Qaeda released a statement on jihadist forums confirming the death of its leader, Osama bin Laden, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant messages, CNN reports while saying that the statement could not be immediately confirmed.

In its statement Al Qaeda threatened to avenge Osama bin Laden's death.

Al Qaeda leader, world's No. 1 terrorist, Osama bin Laden was killed by US SEALs in Pakistan on Sunday, and was promptly buried at sea.