Tripoli, Oct 12 : A number of fallen Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s high-ranking officials are trapped and leading the defence of Sirte, revolutionary forces said as they continued to make deep inroads into the city.

Pro-Gaddafi radio traffic described three significant figures inside the town with one thought to be Mutassim Gaddafi, The Telegraph reports.

A revolutionary fighter who said he monitored the intercepted messages claimed that they described an "asset" code-named "zero one" who is believed to be Mutassim, national security adviser to his ousted father.

Commanders speculated that another figure, code-named "zero two", was Abdullah al-Senussi, intelligence chief, though he had not been heard of for some days and may have fled. Another senior figure is code-named "zero three".

Other relatives of Gaddafi were caught fleeing on Tuesday as the net on the loyalist city closed.

Two first cousins, Mohammed and Rabiya Abu Menear, were spotted in the back seat of a family car as it tried to leave the city.

"We found them sitting in the back between two women, hiding their faces and without documents," an eyewitness said.

Abu Menear had been heard on radio exhorting loyalists to continue fighting.

"On the enemy radio frequencies, we heard him tell his men that anyone that does not fight should ''get it in the teeth'' – this means he wants those shot," a 56-year-old fighter from Misurata said. (ANI)