FO denies arrest of Pakistani immigrant in US over attack plot
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) on Thursday denied reports claiming that the individual arrested in Delaware, United States, over alleged weapons possession and an attack plot was a Pakistani immigrant, clarifying instead that he is an Afghan national. The statement came following widespread media coverage that had initially misidentified the suspect’s origin, prompting the FO to issue a correction that has now been picked up across World News and US News platforms.
According to the FO spokesperson, the arrested individual, identified as 25-year-old Luqmaan Khan, is not linked to Pakistan in any capacity. Officials stressed that earlier claims suggesting he was of Pakistani origin were inaccurate and have since been revised by authorities. Khan was taken into custody on November 24 after US law-enforcement officers recovered heavy firearms, ammunition and body armor from his vehicle and residence during a late-night operation in Delaware.
Investigators said the suspect had allegedly planned an attack targeting the University of Delaware’s Police Department, and documents related to the plot were seized during the search. The charges filed against him on November 26 include illegal possession of a machine gun and planning a violent attack. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 11 as prosecutors prepare to pursue the case under both state and federal statutes.
During the probe, officers also found a handwritten diary that reportedly laid out plans to launch a large-scale assault on the campus police headquarters. The notebook contained a hand-drawn map that clearly marked entry and exit points, along with phrases such as “kill all” and detailed references to “martyrdom,” which law-enforcement officials said significantly heightened their concerns regarding his intentions.
Prosecutors noted that the suspect appeared “fully prepared” to execute the attack, citing the advanced weapon modifications, ammunition stockpile and surveillance-style notes that pointed to a serious and potentially devastating plot. In Pakistan, the FO’s clarification has been widely noted in Pakistan News sections, particularly amid fears of misreporting that could impact Pakistani immigrants abroad.
Authorities in the US say investigations remain ongoing, with analysts examining the suspect’s digital trail, communications and possible extremist influences as the case moves toward court proceedings.
