Islamabad, Feb 26 (IANS) A US national has been arrested in Pakistan’s northwest region for overstaying illegally, police said.

Juddi Kenan, 20, hailing from West Virginia, was arrested Friday from University Town area. His visa expired Oct 23, 2010, Xinhua quoted police officials as saying.

He was taken into custody at a check post while trying to illegally enter Mohmand tribal region along the border with Afghanistan.

Pakistani security forces are engaged in a major offensive in Mohmand, which lies between Peshawar and Bajaur tribal region.

A case against the American was filed under the Foreigners Act. He was taken to an undisclosed location for questioning.

Police are probing the reason behind Kenan’s stay in a sensitive area without proper permission. Foreigners are required to get special permission to visit Pakistan’s northwestern and tribal regions.