London, Apr 23 : An independent inquiry is likely to be held into the anti-terrorist operation that led to the resignation of a senior British policeman, armed raids, arrest and release of 11 Pakistani citizens without any charges being levied on them.

Lord Carlile of Berriew, the reviewer of terrorism legislation, said that he would carry out "a snapshot review" of the detention of 12 men picked up a fortnight ago in Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire, amid claims of an Easter bomb plot.

The release of the final two suspects on Wednesday means that all 12 have been freed without charge. However, 11 of them, Pakistani citizens in Britain on student visas, face deportation on national security grounds, a process that is likely to spark lengthy legal challenges, The Times reported.

Lord Carlile said that he had personally decided to review Operation Pathway, details of which were accidentally disclosed to Downing Street photographers by Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick of Scotland Yard, forcing the arrests to be brought forward. Quick resigned, admitting that he had compromised the operation.

"I shall be requesting input into these events from all involved as soon as possible. This will include those arrested and their legal representatives," he said.

The only British citizen among those freed was named locally as Hamza Shenwari, 41, a delivery driver, from Cheetham Hill, Manchester.

Neighbours said that Shenwari was staying at a hotel while police restored his home to the state it was in before extensive searches.

The failure of the operation raises questions about the level of co-operation between different anti-terror agencies.

MI5, Scotland Yard and Greater Manchester are said to have had angry disagreements about the timing of the arrests. (ANI)