DERA GHAZI KHAN - Police in Dera Ghazi Khan have arrested 12 Al-Qaeda-linked foreigners from the vicinity of inter-provincial Tirrimin checkpost on Indus Highway, bordering NWFP on Friday. These foreigners including seven Turks, three Swedes, one each Iranian and Russian were arrested when they illegally crossed the border. They did not have valid documents and were going to Waziristan. The initial police investigation into the matter indicated that they have links with Al-Qaeda. The top provincial officials may soon hold a Press conference over the issue. Dera police chief Dr Rizwan Khan said they could be militants as Islamic literature, CDs, laptops were recovered from them. It is said they were coming from Turkey via Iran. They had entered Pakistan through Balochistan. Tirrimin checkpost is located at Punjab-NWFP border, some 150 km from here towards north within the limits of Vehoa police station. As per initial reports, the accused hired a vehicle from DG Khan after coming from Quetta on Friday morning. The border military police remained unaware when they drove past at least its five police stations after entering from Balochistan to DG Khan. These BMP checkposts include Bowata, Khar, Rakhi Gaj, Rakhi Munah and Sakhi Sarwar while the police stations they drove past include Sakhi Sarwar, Sadar, Kot Mubark, Kala, Taunsa Shareef and Raitra.