The US ambassador in charge of counterterrorism said today that parts of Pakistan are a “safe haven” for militants and that Osama bin Laden was more likely to be hiding there than in Afghanistan.

A top al-Qaida leader whose links stretch from Afghan terror training camps to extremist networks operating throughout Europe has been captured in Pakistan, according to a US law enforcement official.

PAKISTANI agents killed one suspected al-Qaida terrorist in a raid and arrested another, possibly a Syrian and a top al-Qaida operative sought by the United States under a $5 million (€4.2m) reward.

Pakistani security agencies are investigating whether one of two al-Qaida suspects they have arrested is a Syrian linked to the July 7 London bombings and believed to be a key figure in Osama bin Laden’s terror network in Europe, it emerged today.

Jim Caldwell