Need for DNA nixed bin Laden bomb plan

WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama had authorized a plan to bomb Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan but canceled it, sources told ABC News.

The report said the plan called from two B2 stealth bombers dropping a few dozen 2,000-pound bombs on the compound. When Obama learned that the compound would be reduced to rubble and there would be little chance to recover bin Laden's DNA to show proof of his death, he canceled the operation in favor of the special operations strike that killed bin Laden Sunday.

Navy SEALs took bin Laden's body from the compound, with U.S. officials later burying it at sea after getting DNA samples.

Officials said Obama wanted the DNA, and also wanted to limit collateral damage -- there were 22 people in the compound, including women and children, ABC reported.

The strike was scheduled at a time of low moon luminosity to hide the entry of low-flying U.S. helicopters, the sources told the broadcaster.

The president authorized the strike Friday morning and initially it was planned then, but it was pushed ahead to Sunday because of the weather.