Osama, Zawahiri hiding in northwestern Pak: report

Nine years after their mysterious disappearance following the toppling of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the US still believes the two top al al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri are in hiding in northwestern Pakistan.

According to the latest report on al Qaeda and its expanding network by a powerful Congressional committee, the two leaders are in hiding in tribal areas on the Pakistan- Afghan border. The Senate Committee's views are in variance with those of Pakistani leaders, who believe Osama might well be dead.

In a major observation, the report said al Qaeda appears to have increased its influence among the myriad Islamist militant groups operating along the Af-Pak border.

The 21-page report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations examines the role of al Qaeda in international terrorism and its expansion in new areas - Yemen and Somalia - beyond its nerve-centre in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

US officials remain concerned that al Qaeda militants maintain bases and training camps in Pakistan.

"Bin Laden and Zawahiri are believed to be hiding in northwestern Pakistan along with most other senior operatives. Al Qaeda leaders have issued statements encouraging Pakistani Muslims to 'resist' American 'occupiers' in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to fight against Pakistan's US-allied politicians and officers," the report released by Senator John Kerry, the Committee's Chairman said.