Pakistan’s Foreign Office firmly rejected misleading media reports from India and some US outlets, clarifying that the Delaware suspect arrested with weapons and attack plans is of Afghan origin, not Pakistani. The FO stressed that the wrong labelling attempted to malign Pakistan’s global image at a sensitive time.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi explained that the suspect, Luqman Khan, only lived a few years in Pakistan as a refugee before migrating to the United States. Andrabi confirmed that Khan “is not a Pakistani national or of Pakistani origin,” debunking inaccurate versions carried by the New York Post, USA Today and Hindustan Times.
The clarification underscores Pakistan’s concern over fabricated narratives that harm its diplomatic standing.
Delaware Police Found Weapons and Alleged Attack Plan
US law enforcement officials said police intercepted Khan, a University of Delaware student, at a checkpoint on November 24. They recovered a loaded .357-caliber Glock and a notebook reportedly outlining weapons, potential attack plans and escape strategies.
Federal officials later searched his residence and found a Glock 19 with an illegal machine gun conversion kit, a .556 rifle with attachments, extended magazines, hollow-point rounds and a tactical vest.
Federal Charges and Possible 10-Year Sentence
On November 26, authorities formally charged him for possessing an illegal machine gun. If found guilty, Khan faces up to 10 years in prison. His sentence will depend on federal statutory guidelines and the judge’s ruling.
The FO called the wrongful identification a smear attempt. Pakistan pushed back quickly, ensuring that major outlets corrected the narrative. Islamabad has long stated that misleading coverage harms counter-terror cooperation and fuels unnecessary political tensions.