In Ruins, Bin Laden's Former Home Still Haunts

Feb. 12, 2009— -- "Would you like to see Osama bin Laden's house?"

It's not an offer many reporters would turn down. So on a recent trip to Afghanistan, ABC News got a look at the compound where the terror leader lived more than a decade ago when al Qaeda was establishing itself in the country.

The offer to visit came from Dr. Dave Warner, who is part of what he calls "the nerd surge" in Afghanistan -- volunteers traveling on their own dime to provide medical help, education and basic services for ordinary Afghans.

One of Warner's projects is a Jalalabad school that serves more than 3,800 Afghan children and happens to be less than half a mile from bin Laden's former compound.

One meeting with the school officials stands out. "[A]t the end of the meeting, they said, 'Oh, would you like to go by Osama's house?'" Warner said. "Not if he's home."

Bin Laden has not been home since 1996. But nearby lay the remains of his former residence, where he once lived with three of his wives. Once a Soviet collective farm, it was called Najin al Jihad, or Holy Star of War.

"We had no idea," Warner said of finding out about the school's proximity to the former home of the world's most wanted terrorist. "On the other hand, it illustrates a point. People that care can come somewhere and make a profound difference."

The quiet and eerie ride to the house began in the back of a four-wheel drive vehicle.

There was no one on the dusty street outside the large, dirt-colored compound, even though lively markets thrived less than a mile away. Rolling slowly along the walled structure, the driver stopped momentarily at an opening that put the destruction inside in full view.

He allowed time to get out and tape a quick video and shoot some still photos.

Taliban, Bin Laden Haunt Afghanistan

It was clear that a missile had gone right down the center of the compound and "rearranged [it] from space," Warner said.

A lot of missiles rained down on this area after Sept. 11, yet this was the only place that had not been repaired since the attack "in late 2001," Warner said.

But the location is still dangerous for outsiders to travel, as the Taliban maintain a strong presence in Jalalabad.

After seconds, it was time to leave; a security officer got a phone call, warning of possible trouble.

"Guys, in the car!" Warner shouted. "Go, come on. Let's go, let's go, go!" he said, hustling back into the vehicle.

Wasting no time, the driver sped off. But the trip illustrates how bin Laden, the terrorist who remains very much alive, haunts the area.