PESHAWAR, Oct 18 Security forces have arrested 168 foreigners during a crackdown against illegal immigrants in different parts of the NWFP and tribal areas over the last few days.

The detained persons were paraded blindfold before the media at garrisons in Peshawar, Kohat and Frontier Region Darra Adamkhel on Saturday. Thirty-eight Afghans were produced before the media in Peshawar.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement in Peshawar that the arrested foreigners appeared to be Uzbek and Afghan nationals.

It said as many as 38 foreigners travelling in three vehicles were arrested from Darra Adamkhel on Thursday. They were being interrogated.

An official said that the detained Afghans were likely to be deported after interrogations.