US Arrest Case: FO Confirms Suspect Is Afghan, Not of Pakistani Origin
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has clarified that the man arrested in the United States last week for possessing firearms and written plans for an att@ck is not Pakistani, countering several inaccurate media reports circulating internationally. FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that the suspect is an Afghan national who spent a few years as a refugee in Pakistan before moving to the United States, where he lived for most of his life.
The clarification came after multiple American and Indian media outlets incorrectly identified the arrested individual as being of Pakistani origin. Andrabi reiterated that Pakistan had no connection with the suspect’s background, and the misleading reporting had created an unnecessary association that required correction.
Confusion Over Identity in Global Media Reports
Several international publications, including USA Today, New York Post, and certain Indian outlets, initially described the suspect as a Pakistani-born U.S. citizen. However, other reputable agencies, including the Associated Press, did not assign Pakistani origin to the individual. This conflicting reporting led to widespread confusion, prompting the FO to issue a formal statement.
U.S. authorities, including the Department of Justice, released details of the case without mentioning the suspect’s nationality. The individual, identified as Luqman Khan, was noted only as a resident of Wilmington, Delaware, and a student at the University of Delaware. The FO stressed that Pakistan should not be associated with the case based on unverified or speculative reporting.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
According to U.S. law enforcement, the suspect was stopped during a traffic check on November 24 and was arrested after refusing to comply with police instructions. During the search, officers recovered a .357 caliber Glock handgun loaded with 27 rounds, along with a handwritten notebook describing additional weapons, potential methods for carrying out an att@ck, and ways to evade law enforcement.
Authorities also found the name of a University of Delaware police officer referenced in the notebook, as well as a layout of a building labeled “UD Police Station,” outlining entry and exit points. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered more weapons, including a Glock 19 handgun fitted with an illegal machine-gun conversion device (“switch”), a .556 rifle with optics, tactical vests, extended magazines, and ammunition.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that the suspect has been charged with illegal possession of a machine gun, a federal offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of up to 10 years if convicted. A federal judge will determine the sentence based on U.S. sentencing guidelines.
Conclusion
The FO’s clarification seeks to correct misleading claims and ensure Pakistan is not associated with an individual whose background has no connection to the country. As the U.S. investigation continues, Pakistani authorities have underscored the importance of responsible reporting and accurate verification, particularly in sensitive cases involving seku-rity concerns and cross-border narratives.
