Washington, June 12 : Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director Leon Panetta has said that Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan, and expressed hope that the ongoing offensive of the Pakistan Army would help the CIA to locate and nab bin Laden.

When enquired that whether he has specific information about bin Laden's whereabouts and that he is hiding inside Pakistan's territory, Panetta said: "The last information we had, that's still the case."

"I guess one of our hopes is that as Pakistani military moves in, combined with our operations, we may have a better chance to get at him," said Panetta on the sidelines of a function in Capitol Hill.

He said Al-Qaeda remained the `most serious security threat' to the United States and its leaders, particularly in Pakistan, continue to plot against America.

He informed that the CIA has enhanced its network and increased the number of officers, and agents or locals who provide information about Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups.

"We have a number of people who are on the ground in Pakistan who are helping us provide targets and who are helping us provide the information that we really need to go after al-Qaeda," The Nation quoted Panetta, as saying.

Commenting on the Swat military offensive, Panetta said it was making good progress as compared to such operations in the past, as governments in the past have faltered in their approach and have entered peace agreements with the extremists. (ANI)