The Pentagon has refused to comment on media reports saying elite U-S military forces are hunting suspected terrorist leader Osama bin Laden inside Afghanistan.
U-S-A Today newspaper quotes U-S and Pakistani military officials as saying privately the special operations troops arrived two weeks ago with orders to capture or kill Mr. bin Laden, or at least restrict his movements until U-S air strikes can be launched. The report says the manhunt was launched from bases in Pakistan being used by western military forces.
A Pentagon spokeswoman said the defense department will not comment on operations or intelligence matters. Pakistan's foreign ministry also says it has no information about the report.
The American newspaper says U-S Army Green Berets and Navy SEALS and the British Army's Special Air Services are conducting the manhunt. The report also says the elite troops have asked other nations for intelligence help in locating the suspected terrorist chief.