The father of a man arrested in Pakistan in connection with the Times Square bombing attempt case vehemently denied that his son had anything to do with the plot.Salman Ashraf was taken into custody a few days ago, U.S. and Pakistani officials told CNN on Friday. His father, Rana Ashraf Khan, who owns Hanif Rajput Catering, said he was shocked by the arrest of his son, who had been missing for 12 days.
Khan shook with anger when asked about his son. "I refute it outright," Khan said. "It is a very wicked accusation. He is not the type of guy who would ever think of involving himself in any criminal activity." But a U.S. official with knowledge of the case said Friday that Ashraf had been talking to the Taliban about pointing out the Pakistani military and other VIPs at diplomatic and other government events.
Another U.S. official said there were indications that the catering company was going to be used as a cover for an attack in Pakistan. There is "very specific information about a potential, imminent, plot," the official said. "Initial indications are it is a Pakistani target."