Reports say the US has narrowed the search for Osama bin Laden to a series of caves on the border with Pakistan.
Intelligence officials have told the New York Postthe five cave complexes are in Paktia province.
They're under 24-hour surveillance from spy satellites, U-2 spy planes and Predator drone aircraft.
The Post says the Pentagon is studying a second set of caves, in Oruzgan province north of Kandahar.
Officials believe Taliban head Mullah Omar and the 30 top members of his governing council may be hiding there.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Stufflebeem says "it's a matter of time" before the US military's full force is unleashed on bin Laden.
Government geologists have identified the limestone rocks behind bin Laden on his video broadcasts which show distinctive formations unique to the smaller mountains in the Paktia region.
The paper says the military hasn't yet decided on whether to bomb the caves or raid them.
PA