Pakistan seals border to block fleeing al-Qaida

Pakistan have reportedly sealed off the border as US warplanes bomb suspected al-Qaida hideouts in eastern Afghanistan.

Pakistan have reportedly sealed off the border as US warplanes bomb suspected al-Qaida hideouts in eastern Afghanistan.

Afghan officials say al-Qaida and Taliban fighters are regrouping in the mountains of eastern Paktia province and just over the border in Pakistan, urging the faithful to wage holy war against US forces.

US officials and Afghan sources estimate 4,000 to 5,000 foreigners who fought for the Taliban and al-Qaida remain inside Afghanistan. Many of them are believed to be in Paktia and other provinces along the Pakistan border.

They are receiving support from a variety of groups, including Kashmiri separatists, Islamic militants in Pakistan and some former officials of Pakistan's intelligence service, according to Afghan sources.

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Meanwhile, a senior Pakistani government official at the Pakistan border town of Mr Miran Shah said that troops have sealed off all routes to block the escape of any al-Qaida and Taliban fleeing the attack.

The official, Mr Javed Marwat, said a 100-kilometres (60 mile) strip with Afghanistan has been closed.

A tribal elder in the area, Haji Rasool Khan, said that his Madakhel tribe would not give shelter to any al-Qaida on the run.

PA