Florida Student Arrested While Entering Pakistan's Tribal Region

October 13, 2008 10:20 p.m. EST

Peshawar, Pakistan (AHN) - A 20-year-old student from Florida was arrested Monday by Pakistani police at a checkpoint near the Afghan border while trying to enter the tribal region of Mohmand agency.

American as Juddi Kenan was arrested for entering Pakistan without permission, said police officer Pir Shahab, according to ABC News. He was carrying a bag containing a laptop, maps and other documents.

Another police official, Marjan Khan at the station in Sarrokali, said the man wearing traditional Pakistani clothes was visiting a friend in the tribal region, where Pakistani troops are battling Taliban and al-Qaeda militants. The American looks like an Afghan Hazara, the Daily Times quoted unnamed Pakistani officials as saying.

Intelligence officers are now questioning the man in an undisclosed place in Peshawar, capital of the Northwest Frontier Province.