RAWALPINDI: A Pakistani national residing in Italy was deported to Islamabad by the Italian authorities after he was detained on the suspicion that he held sympathies for extremist elements.

Usman Ghani, a resident of Swabi, had settled in Italy and used to visit websites related to Islamic teachings.

When contacted, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director Inam Ghani said Usman Ghani was from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and had been deported to Islamabad after he was picked up by the Italian authorities for alleged links with religious extremists.

Also read: Pakistani man with alleged extremists links deported by Italy

The Pakistani expat was brought to Islamabad at around 3am on the Etihad Airways flight EY-231 in the custody of Italian law-enforcement officials who handed him over to the FIA. The suspect was released after brief questioning.

“Usman Ghani was not involved in any crime, nor was he wanted by the FIA or any other local law-enforcement agency. Therefore, he was allowed to go upon reaching the airport,” the FIA director said.

Separately, the Counter Terrorism Department claimed to have arrested a terror suspect allegedly involved in attacking security personnel, and found explosives and detonators in his possession.

The suspect was apprehended during a raid on his hideout at Kashmir Colony on Girja Road. The team recovered 550 grams of explosive material, two detonators and one safety fuse from his possession, a CTD spokesperson said.

He said the suspect was wanted in connection with terrorism activities in KP as well as attacks on law-enforcement agencies. The spokesperson said raids were under way to arrest his accomplices.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2015

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