Sources: U.S. to return some detainees to Pakistan

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A small group of detainees being held by the United States will be returned to Pakistan from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, within the next few days, CNN has learned.

The move would be the first release of detainees to their home country under a policy that they can be returned if they no longer pose a threat or have no intelligence value.

Sources said one of the men is elderly, estimated to be more than 80 years old. The others fall under the criteria established. It is unclear whether Pakistani authorities will take custody of the men on their return.

A detainee deemed to be seriously mentally ill was released several months ago and turned to his home country.

The transfer will not be officially announced until it is completed, for security reasons. A Pentagon source also said some detainees are asking that the United States not disclose any details because they fear retribution from al Qaeda and the Taliban when they are released.

There are 598 detainees at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay and about 150 in Afghanistan.

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