Suspected militants held in Pakistan

Police in the Pakistani city of Lahore have arrested nine members of a doctor's family on suspicion of having links with al-Qaeda or the Taleban.

The suspects, who are reported to include two Americans and a Canadian national, were arrested in the middle of the night.

These are the latest in a series of arrests made by Pakistani police in the last few months, with the help of the FBI.

Those arrested from Lahore include a medical practitioner, Dr Ahmed Javed Khawaja.

He had visited Afghanistan a number of times in the last few years and officials believe he may still be in contact with the Taleban or al-Qaeda members.

Americans and Canadians

Further arrests from the house include his two sons and some other members of the family.

Another doctor, Dr Aziz, was arrested two months ago

Dr Khawaja's sons are said to be American nationals and one of his arrested nephews holds a Canadian passport.

A resident of the area told reporters that initially someone fired an automatic gun from inside the house, thinking that bandits were trying to break in, but they gave up once the police informed them of the raid.

None of the arrested people have been charged and police have refused to give more details.

In recent weeks, the security agencies have been investigating the role of several non-governmental organisations that were involved in social and welfare activities in Afghanistan when the Taleban were ruling the country.

Officials say it is possible some of them may still have links with the Taleban or al-Qaeda.

Two months ago, another doctor was arrested in Lahore on suspicion of Taleban links and was interrogated by Pakistani and American security officials before being released.