As the tense US-Pak standoff over the arrest of an American for double murder continues, Pakistani security and intelligence operatives have detained yet another US national -- this time on charges of not possessing valid travel documents.
The American, identified as Aaron deHaven, was detained in the posh University Town area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Friday, officials said.
They said he was detained for not possessing valid travel documents.
After he was detained, the American was taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
A First Information Report was registered against him in a police station under the Foreigners Act, the officials said.
TV news channels reported that the American was detained as he was acting in a suspicious manner.
Geo News said he worked as a security guard for foreigners in Peshawar.
The American's visa had expired in October last year, Express 24/7 channel reported.
DeHaven was married to a Pakistani woman and owned a house that he had transferred to her. He had also applied for Pakistani nationality, the channel reported.
His detention came at a time when US-Pakistan relations have plunged to a new low over the arrest of Raymond Davis, an alleged CIA contractor, after he shot and killed two armed
men in Lahore last month.
In a brief statement, the US embassy in Islamabad said late Friday night that it had seen media reports about an American named Aaron Mark DeHaven being detained by police in Peshawar.
"We are arranging consular access through the government of Pakistan. Until a US government representative meets with him, we cannot confirm additional details," said embassy spokesperson Courtney Beale.