Three face extradition in 'stinger missile plot'

Two Pakistanis and an Indian-born American face proceedings in Hong Kong, beginning tomorrow, to extradite them to the United States, for allegedly plotting to swap drugs for anti-aircraft missiles to sell to the al-Qaida terror network.

The men were caught in an FBI sting operation by undercover agents who said the three offered to provide hashish and heroin in exchange for four shoulder-fired Stinger missiles, which experts say would be capable of shooting down civilian jets flying at low altitudes.

Little is known about the defendants, Syed Mustajab Shah, 54, and Muhammed Abid Afridi, 29, both of Peshawar, Pakistan, and naturalised US citizen Ilyas Ali, 55, of Minneapolis.

They have been jailed since Hong Kong police arrested them on September 20.