An FBI agent was arrested in Pakistan this week after he attempted to board a domestic flight between Karachi and Islamabad with ammunition and knives , police said Wednesday . Joel Cox was arrested on Monday with 15 9mm bullets , three small knives and a wrench , according to police superintendent Malir Rao Anwar . All of those items , along with his laptop computer and cell phone , have been taken to a forensics lab for analysis . Cox was visiting Pakistan as part of an assignment to provide training to local police , according to a U.S. law enforcement official . A State Department official said diplomats are working with Pakistani authorities to gain the release of the agent . Cox appeared in court Tuesday to face anti-terrorism charges , which restrict unauthorized weapons or ammunition on commercial flights , and is scheduled to appear again on Saturday . Employees for the FBI and other U.S. agencies are allowed to carry weapons in Pakistan when authorized . U.S. officials hope this incident is more easily resolved than the 2011 case of a CIA contractor who was arrested and charged with killing two men . Raymond Davis said that he believed they were trying to rob him . The case inflamed local anti-American sentiment and soured relations until the United States agreed to compensate the families of the two men . Davis was then freed . Rao Anwar said he expects the case to go to trail , calling it a matter of `` upholding Pakistan 's dignity and honor . ( Cox ) acted illegally and his arrest is perfectly legal . ''
He was stopped for carrying ammunition as he attempted to board flight . The agent was carrying 15 - mm rounds , police said . The agent is in Pakistan as part of effort to contact local police . Diplomatic effort under way to gain the agent 's release .