PAKISTANI security forces arrested hundreds of Islamic hard-liners and virtually sealed off the capital Islamabad yesterday before using gunfire and tear gas to disperse a protest that had been banned by the government after a wave of deadly riots.

Pakistani security forces came close to capturing Osama bin Laden in an operation about eight to 10 months ago, but the terror mastermind eluded arrest and his trail has since gone cold, Pakistan’s president said today.

Pakistani security forces have arrested the head of a militant Islamic group suspected in the kidnapping of three UN workers - including Irishwoman Annetta Flanigan - in Afghanistan in October.

Pakistani security forces have found no sign of Osama bin Laden hiding in a mountainous region bordering Afghanistan, and suspect the terrorist leader may not be there, the top military commander in the area said today.

Pakistani security forces are detaining a group of TV journalists in Peshawar.