North Carolina (US), Oct.15 : The mother of a 20-year-old American college student detained by Pakistani officials in the restive tribal region along the Afghanistan border, has told FOX News that her son's incarceration is a case of "misunderstanding."

The North Carolina woman, who identified herself as the mother of Jude Kenan, said that she recently contacted her son.

"I'm OK and he's OK. I don't understand. There must be a misunderstanding because my son is just fine. I'd rather not talk about it," she said.

Pakistani officials said they picked up a man on Sunday who identified himself as a Florida college student in the region to visit a friend.

The man was arrested at a checkpoint in the Mohmand Agency region of North Waziristan, considered a possible hiding place for Usama bin Laden.

A U.S. official confirmed to FOX News that the name of the 20-year-old being held in Pakistan is Jude Kenan Mohammad, not Juddi Kenan, as previously reported.

Officials told FOX News that Mohammad is part of an ongoing FBI investigation, though he has yet to meet with anyone from the U.S. government, which hasn't been able to confirm any ties to terrorism.

Pakistani diplomatic sources told FOX News that the man holds both Pakistani and American passports, and said he has been released after officials interrogated him and found no connection to terror groups in the region.

Kenan was reportedly picked up for traveling in the region without government permission, which is required of foreigners in the war-torn area.

He is believed to have been carrying a laptop, maps and CDs and wearing traditional Pakistani clothing at the time of his arrest.