Pakistani troops have begun withdrawing from some parts of western Pakistan after militants agreed to release captured soldiers and politicians.

There have been reports that al-Qaida forces have been driven out of the Tora Bora region in Afghanistan by opposition troops.

Tribal commanders fighting al-Qaida troops in Afghanistan’s White Mountains said today they had abandoned another plan for bin Laden’s men to disarm and surrender.

US airstrikes have intensified dramatically and Afghan tribal fighters have launched a new ground assault against trapped al-Qaida forces.

A US B-52 aircraft has bombed the Tora Bora area after cornered al-Qaida forces ignored a surrender deadline set by the opposing tribal eastern alliance.