Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is on his way to Afghanistan and nearby Central Asian countries to assess the U.S.-led war on terrorism. 

Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke says the trip, Mr. Rumsfeld's fourth to the region, will allow him to meet with some of the more than 6,000 U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan. 

She also says the defense secretary will visit other unspecified countries in the region to thank officials for their support of the war against terrorists. 

Meanwhile, The Washington Post newspaper reports that U.S. special forces or military advisers in recent weeks have accompanied Pakistani troops searching for al-Qaida and Taleban fighters who are believed to be hiding in Pakistan's tribal areas. 

The Pentagon has declined to comment on the newspaper account. However, the Pentagon spokeswoman said Pakistan has been extraordinarily helpful. She said, in her words, "the cooperation continues to get better and better." 

A senior Pakistani official said he had no knowledge of U.S. military operations inside Pakistan. 

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