The American soldier who went missing June 30 from his base in eastern Afghanistan and was later confirmed to have been captured, This video frame grab taken from a Taliban propaganda video.
The U.S. soldier kidnapped by Taliban forces in Afghanistan may have been taken across the border to Pakistan, complicating efforts to obtain his release, according to two people involved in U.S. and Afghan military efforts to locate him, and three Afghan soldiers captured with him.
Washington - CIA Director Leon Panetta said on Thursday the U.S. intelligence agency believes al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan and hopes joint operations with Pakistani forces will find him.
Asked whether he was sure that bin Laden was in Pakistan, Panetta told reporters: "The last information we had, that's still the case."
Bin Laden, who has eluded a U.S. manhunt since the September 11, 2001, attacks, has issued audio and videotapes over the years demonstrating that he is still alive.
The CIA director has said he believes al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan.
US intelligence chief Leon Panetta was asked by reporters whether he was sure that Bin Laden was in Pakistan.
Mr Panetta replied: "The last information we had, that's still the case."
The US spy agency hopes to close in on him as Pakistan's military cracks down on the tribal area where he is thought to be hiding.
Bin Laden, who has eluded a US manhunt since the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, has issued audio and videotapes over the years demonstrating he is still alive.
Mr Panetta said finding bin Laden is "one of our major priorities."
He added: "One of our hopes is that the Pakistanis move in militarily, combined with our operations, we may be able to have a better chance" to find him.
He also said al Qaeda "remains the most serious security threat" to the United States and its leaders, particularly in Pakistan, continue to plot against America.
There are "a number of people" on the ground in Pakistan providing intelligence on al Qaeda targets to the US, he said.
The intelligence agency is also focusing on countries where al Qaeda might find safe havens, like Somalia and Yemen, Mr Panetta went on.
Meanwhile, the leader of al Qaeda in Afghanistan has reportedly said militants are short of food, weapons and other supplies needed to fight foreign forces there.
On a website used by top al Qaeda leaders and other militants to post statements, Mustafa Abu al-Yazid said: "In Afghanistan, we have a severe supply deficit.
"The main reason for the weakness in operations is insufficient supplies.
"Many mujahedeen sit and wait and cannot fight for lack of supplies."
Yazid called on Turks to provide money and supplies for al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan, appealing to their common Muslim identity, and called for Turks to pray for the militants.
Al Qaeda has been severely weakened in Afghanistan since US-led forces toppled their Taliban hosts in response to the terror attacks on September 11, 2001.
Finding bin Laden is "one of our major priorities," Panetta said. "One of our hopes is that the Pakistanis move in militarily, combined with our operations, we may be able to have a better chance" to find the al Qaeda leader, he said.
Panetta said al Qaeda "remains the most serious security threat" to the United States and its leaders, particularly in Pakistan, continue to plot against America.
There are "a number of people" on the ground in Pakistan providing intelligence on al Qaeda targets to the United States, he said.
The intelligence agency also is focusing on countries where al Qaeda might find safe haven, like Somalia and Yemen, Panetta said.
A bomb exploded outside a luxury hotel in a major city in northwest Pakistan Tuesday, killing at least five people, according to a government official.
The blast went off near the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar.
Gunmen stormed the hotel just Tuesday night before "a big bomb went off," said police official Liaqat Ali.
At least five people were killed and 25 were wounded, said Sahibzada Anis, a top government official in Peshawar.
Pakistan's Express Television also reported at least five deaths, but said 35 people were injured.
Police official Liaqat Ali said gunmen stormed into the Pearl Continental Hotel in the north-western city just before "a big bomb went off" and sparked a major fire.
Officials are trying to establish whether a device had been planted or it was a suicide attack.
Pakistani television channels quoted witnesses as saying it was a gun and bomb attack.PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Officials says a huge bomb has exploded at a luxury hotel in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing at least five people and wounding 25 others.
Police official Liaqat Ali says gunmen stormed into the Pearl Continental Hotel in the northwestern city on Tuesday night just before “a big bomb went off.”
Sahibzada Anis, a top government official in Peshawar, says at least five people were killed and 25 wounded.
The blast is the latest in a string of attacks in Pakistani cities in recent weeks that officials say are revenge for a military offensive against Taliban militants in the Swat Valley.
An explosion has killed five people and injured at least 25 at a luxury hotel in the north-west Pakistani city of Peshawar, officials say.
Police named the hotel as the five-star Pearl Continental, and an unconfirmed report suggests that foreign guests are among those hurt.
Peshawar is capital of Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province.
A series of bombs have hit cities including Peshawar since a government crackdown on Taliban militants.
One report said the hotel had been subjected to a gun and bomb attack.
Pearl Continental's website describes its hotel in Peshawar as "overlooking the famous Peshawar golf course and the historic Bala Hisar Fort".
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TV reports said the hotel had been subjected to a gun and bomb attack.
A government investigator, Sahibzada Anees, was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying officials were trying to establish whether a device had been planted or it was a suicide attack.
Pearl Continental's website describes its hotel in Peshawar as "overlooking the famous Peshawar golf course and the historic Bala Hisar Fort".
Government forces launched an offensive earlier this year to crush a Taliban-led uprising in the Swat valley aimed at enforcing Sharia law.
Taliban leaders have promised to launch revenge attacks on major Pakistani cities and claimed a bombing in Lahore last month which left at least 28 people dead.
The American soldier who went missing June 30 from his base in eastern Afghanistan and was later confirmed to have been captured, This video frame grab taken from a Taliban propaganda video.
