WASHINGTON, April 10: The United States has again confirmed that it has Abu Zubaydah, reputed to be a ranking member of Al Qaeda, in custody, but declined to comment on his condition.

Abu Zubaydah was among those captured in raids earlier this month in Faisalabad and Lahore, conducted by Pakistani security agencies with the help of US intelligence operatives.

He was said to have been seriously injured in the raids, with several bullet wounds. Some of the injuries were reportedly suffered as a result of bullets fired by Al Qaeda members while resisting the capture.

The Pentagon has refused to disclose the location where Abu Zubaydah is being held. “We have him,” Pentagon Spokesperson Victoria Clarke said at a briefing on Tuesday, “but we’re just not going to get in the business of a daily, hourly medical checkup”.

Asked whether his condition was still serious, and whether it had improved since his capture, she said: “I do not have information for you on his condition. He continues to get the appropriate medical treatment.”

Abu Zubaydah is believed to be the highest ranking Al Qaeda man to fall into American hands in six months since the military operation began in Afghanistan.