KARACHI: Airport officials briefly detained four US embassy officials at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport Wednesday morning who were then sent back to Islamabad.

There was no verbal spat or scuffle. Airport officials confirmed the incident but did not elaborate why the officials were sent back.

A US embassy spokesman confirmed the incident and told Dawn.com that four embassy officials had reached Karachi from Islamabad this morning to meet with officials from the US consulate in Karachi.

He said airport officials did not allow them to enter the city and they subsequently returned to Islamabad.

"There was no verbal scuffle," the spokesman said.