The Foreign Office on Thursday clarified that the suspect arrested in Delaware for allegedly planning an attack on a police station is an Afghan national, rejecting earlier US media reports that identified him as Pakistani.
According to the spokesperson, the 25-year-old, Luqman Khan, does not hold Pakistani nationality. Authorities confirmed his Afghan citizenship after verifying his Afghan ID card, which shows he is from Herat province and had been residing in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Khan was taken into custody on the night of November 24 in the Canby Park West area after police stopped a suspicious truck. Reports indicate he initially refused repeated instructions to exit the vehicle and resisted arrest. A search of the truck uncovered a pistol, magazines, and documents allegedly outlining an attack plan.
The recovered notes reportedly contained phrases such as “kill them all and embrace martyrdom” and detailed methods for evading arrest and using other weapons, indicating premeditated preparation for an assault.
Authorities also found a map of the University of Delaware Police Department, highlighting entry and exit routes, and naming a specific officer, suggesting the university’s police department was the intended target.
Following the arrest, the FBI was immediately notified and conducted a raid at Khan’s residence the next day, seizing additional weapons.
Reports further indicate that Khan is a student at the University of Delaware. While the full motive behind the planned attack remains unclear, he allegedly told police that “embracing martyrdom is among the greatest acts.” Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into the suspect’s plans, associates, and potential threats.
Khan is scheduled to appear in court on December 11 as the FBI and local authorities proceed with their inquiry. The case has drawn attention both in the US and internationally, with officials emphasizing the importance of verifying nationality and background details amidst initial media misreporting. The ongoing investigation aims to prevent further threats and assess whether others were involved in the alleged plot.
