We just feel fear, fear for her safety

Allan Ridley Yvonne Ridley's father

Mr Ridley, from West Pelton, County Durham, said of the missile attacks: "This is the news we have been dreading. We are very worried. We just feel fear, fear for her safety."

The UK Foreign Office has warned the Taleban they are responsible for Ms Ridley's safety.

'She is in their hands'

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "They have the power to release her - she is in their hands."

A spokesman for Express Newspapers said they remained hopeful she would be freed despite the latest developments.

He said: "Everyone at the Express, as well as Yvonne's family, is praying that she will be home soon.

"In the meantime the company is doing everything it can to help diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to bring about Yvonne's release."

Express Newspapers' editorial director, Paul Ashford, and a company lawyer are still in Pakistan where they are seeking to ensure Ms Ridley's release.

'Rollercoaster of emotion'

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, speaking before his departure from RAF Northolt for Luxembourg, said: "We have had no positive reports about Yvonne Ridley's safety and no negative reports either.

"I feel terribly for the family because they have been on this rollercoaster of hope and emotion. As soon as we get news we will tell the family."

We have had no positive reports and no negative reports either

Jack Straw Foreign Secretary

On Sunday the official Taleban news agency quoted Information Minister Qatradullah Jamal as saying: "Today she has been released. She is free."

But Taleban Ambassador to Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, said she was still being held in the Afghan capital Kabul.

Pakistani officials in Peshawar said they were unsure when Ms Ridley would arrive.

There had been fears that she would be put on trial for entering the country illegally, or even for spying.

Supreme leader

Last week several senior Taleban figures said the regime had no intention of deporting the journalist.

Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef: "Ridley still being held"

The reasons for the decision remain unclear, but it follows diplomatic pressure from Pakistan and the UK.

Afghan disguise

Ms Ridley was arrested with her two local guides close to the city of Jalalabad near Afghanistan's eastern border.

She is understood to have been wearing an Afghan burqa and not to have been carrying a passport when she was picked up.

The Taleban had told all foreigners to leave and had not issued any visas to journalists.

According to the Sunday Express, Ms Ridley, an experienced reporter who has worked for several other national newspapers, had entered the country to cover the humanitarian crisis there.