Home ministry sources said the airport had been alerted to look out for Iraqis who may try to use Kathmandu as a transit point to travel to Europe.

The nine Iraqis detained in the past few days include four women, the sources said

"They are Christians who had planned to proceed to Sweden... to meet their relatives, after spending a few days in Kathmandu," an immigration official said.

"We have instructed the officials at the airport and other entry points to be cautious about the illegal entry of Iraqis following the war in Iraq," a Home Ministry source said.

WAR.WIRE