London: In an operation described by police as uncovering of an al-Qaida terrorist cell, 28 Pakistanis carrying explosives, forged documents and maps of targeted cities have been arrested in Naples city in Southern Italy.

The maps had sensitive areas circled with a pen, including North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) Southern headquarters in the Bagnoli town outside the city and the United States consulate in Naples.

Police said in a statement they had uncovered an al-Qaida cell, but gave no further detail.

The Pakistanis were found during a routine check on illegal immigrants on January 31, police said.

Some 800 grams of dynamite, 50 metres of explosive fuse and various types of detonators were also found, they added.

The police statement said the Pakistanis have been charged with association with the aim of international terrorism, possession of illegal explosive material, falsification of documents and trafficking.

Police made the arrests after breaking into an apartment in the old part of Naples city centre known to have a strong mafia presence. Inside they found the Pakistanis living in a group of several apartments, which had been knocked into one.

Apart from hundreds of forged identity documents, police found an index of thousands of international telephone contacts and addresses. Documents in Arabic found in the raid are being translated.

Dozens of people have been arrested in Italy in recent months as part of a crackdown on Islamic terror cells operating in the country. According to USA, Italy is regarded as a frontline target for Islamic terrorist organisations.

Five Moroccans were arrested a week ago, suspected of planning terrorist attacks. They also had maps of NATO bases in Northern Italy and a plan of Central London.

PTI