Italy arrests Pakistanis suspected of Mumbai links

MILAN (Reuters) - Italian anti-terrorist police have arrested two Pakistanis suspected of helping to finance the Islamic militant group responsible for the attacks on Mumbai in November 2008, that killed 166 people.

Police said in a statement on Saturday the men, identified using leads from Indian authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, sent funds overseas using the money transfer business they owned in the north Italian town of Brescia.

Shortly before the Mumbai attacks, the two men transferred money to pay the Internet phone calls of individuals in direct contact with the militants, the statement said.

The 10 gunmen attacked several targets in the western Indian city last year including two plush hotels and a Jewish center. The incident frayed already tense ties between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan.

Two other Pakistani citizens were arrested in the investigation, accused of links to illegal people trafficking.

(Editing by Louise Ireland)