US terror probe: Three held for false statements

Zazi has repeatedly denied to reporters any connection to al-Qaida or to a terrorist plot. His statements contradict claims made by a senior US intelligence official on Friday,that Zazi had indicated a direct link with al-Qaida.

The arrests carried out tonight are part of an ongoing and fast-paced investigation, said David Kris,assistant attorney general for national security. It is important to note that we have no specific information regarding the timing,location or target of any planned attack.

In documents filed with the court,investigators say Zazi admitted to FBI agents last week that in 2008 he received weapons and explosives training from al-Qaida in federally administered tribal areas of Pakistan.

The terror probe gathered momentum after Zazi drove from Denver to New York,crossing Manhattan on September 10. Zazi said he went to New York to resolve issues with a coffee cart he owns in Manhattan,then flew home to Denver. However,a search of Zazis rental car turned up a laptop that contained an image of nine pages of handwritten notes which included instructions about how to build explosives,affidavits state.

When asked about the notes during last week,Zazi said he knew nothing about them. He allegedly said that he unintentionally downloaded the notes along with a religious book and had deleted it after realising it discussed jihad. Federal agents suspect Zazi received the notes via e-mail.