BBC NEWS | South Asia | Bin Laden not here, say tribesmen: "In the Pakistani tribal area of South Waziristan, local people are emphatic.
'Osama Bin Laden is not in this region,' said local administrator Mohammad Azam Khan."But this area is the place many outsiders believe is the hideaway of the world's most wanted man.
The reason for this suspicion is the sympathy of local tribes for the Taleban and al-Qaeda.
In recent manoeuvres last month, the Pakistan army said it arrested 21 al-Qaeda suspects in Zari Lita area of South Waziristan.
Officials say more operations are on the cards if local tribes do not co-operate by handing over suspects.
Every day, more troops are arriving in the area.
The territory of Waziristan shares an 80km-long border with Afghanistan's Paktika province, a trouble spot for US and Afghan forces in their battle against al-Qaeda and Taleban renegade elements.
'Osama Bin Laden is not in this region,' said local administrator Mohammad Azam Khan."But this area is the place many outsiders believe is the hideaway of the world's most wanted man.
The reason for this suspicion is the sympathy of local tribes for the Taleban and al-Qaeda.
In recent manoeuvres last month, the Pakistan army said it arrested 21 al-Qaeda suspects in Zari Lita area of South Waziristan.
Officials say more operations are on the cards if local tribes do not co-operate by handing over suspects.
Every day, more troops are arriving in the area.
The territory of Waziristan shares an 80km-long border with Afghanistan's Paktika province, a trouble spot for US and Afghan forces in their battle against al-Qaeda and Taleban renegade elements.
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