India says Pakistan-based militants nabbed

LUCKNOW, India, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Indian authorities claim to have foiled a plot by an alleged militant group based in Pakistan to kidnap a prominent politician.

Three men were arrested Friday in Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh state.

They are suspected of being members of the militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed, and were allegedly planning to kidnap a "very important political person," the BBC reported, quoting police.

Police did not confirm reports suggesting the target may have been Rahul Gandhi, son of Sonia Gandhi, president of the ruling coalition's Congress party and widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Rahul is a parliament member from an Uttar Pradesh constituency.

Police said the three suspects are Pakistanis who were captured as they traveled in a car from New Delhi. They said several arms and ammunition were seized from them.

Police officials claimed the kidnap plot was designed to gain the release of 42 militants in Indian jails.