March 18 (Bloomberg) -- Pakistani soldiers believe they have surrounded Osama bin Laden's top aide, Egyptian Ayman al- Zawahiri, near the Afghan border, the Associated Press reported from Islamabad.

Intelligence shows Zawahiri was cornered in South Waziristan by hundreds of soldiers, three top Pakistani officials told AP on condition of anonymity.

To contact the reporter on this story: Edward DeMarco at edemarco1@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 18, 2004 13:32 EST