Pakistani air stewardess caught with weapon

KARACHI, Aug 13 (Reuters) A Pakistani air stewardess was caught trying to carry a pistol on board a Pakistan International Airlines flight today, police and airlines officials said.

The stewardess, in her mid-20s, was carrying the pistol in her hand luggage as she tried to board a PIA flight from Karachi to the port city of Gwadar, they said.

''She was caught this morning by Airports Security Force personnel and has been handed over to the police now,'' Maqsood Ahmed, a Superintendent of Police, told Reuters.

It was not immediately clear as to why the woman tried to take the weapon onto a flight. Ahmed said the police were investigating.

PIA spokesman Nasir Jamal confirmed the incident, but did not give more details.

''The matter is still under investigation,'' he said.

REUTERS RJ HT1320