28 Pakistanis Arrested on Terrorism Charges - 2003-01-31

Italian police have arrested 28 Pakistanis in Naples suspected of belonging to a group planning a terrorist attack.

In a raid targeting illegal immigrants Thursday night, police say they found false documents, explosives, fuses, detonators and maps with what they called "sensitive areas" circled. Police say they believe the Pakistanis -- all men -- are members of an al-Qaida terrorist cell that was planning an attack. There is a U-S consulate in the city, and the southern headquarters of NATO is in Bagnoli, near Naples.

Pakistani Television quotes Pakistani Ambassador to Italy Zafar Hilali as saying the detainees had nothing to do with terrorism but were staying in a Naples house that apparently is owned by the Italian Mafia.

Last week, police in northern Italy arrested five Moroccans suspected of terrorist activity after finding explosives and maps of NATO installations.