Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday welcomed the news reports that al-Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden was killed.

"Osama was killed by American troops in Abbotabad of Pakistan yesterday and I hope with his elimination the terrorist activities will over," Karzai said at a conference of elders held in his Palace.

The leader of al-Qaida network Osama Bin Laden, according to media reports was killed by U.S. forces special operation in Abbotabad district of Pakistan.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced Sunday night that al- Qaida elusive leader and the alleged architect of 9/11 attacks on U.S.-- Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. military operation and is confirmed dead.

"The death of Osama in Pakistan has proved the accuracy of our claim that terrorists centers are outside Afghanistan and not in Afghan villages," Afghan President said, adding Afghans are cooperating with international community in war on terror.

"Once again I am calling on NATO that war against terrorists should not be continued in Afghan villages. Osama was spotted and killed in Abbotabad of Pakistan and not in Afghan villages or towns," President Karzai said.

President Karzai in his speech also called on Taliban militants to lay down their arms, severe ties with al-Qaida and join the peace process to contribute in the rebuilding process of Afghanistan.

Afghan officials have repeatedly emphasized that Taliban and al- Qaida operatives fighting Afghan government and NATO-led troops have been sheltered in Pakistan, a claim rejected by Islamabad as baseless.