probably disinfo, half-truth only.
the intelligence rooted out of isi has the usa on usama's track. to calm al-q's worries, we put out a diversion - "we have him surrounded" - but state the wrong location.
We could have him surrounded in some large area, but we may not know precisely where he is in the region. He may also be heavily guarded.
So we shake the tree and see if anybody makes a run for it.