Pak detains five over Times Square plot: Report

The report came a day after Pakistan8217;s Geo News channel said that six persons had been detained in different places in the country on suspicion of having links to Shahzad.

Citing a US embassy alert in Islamabad,the Post said Americans have been warned about the 8216;Hanif Rajput Catering Service8217; as 8220;terrorist groups may have established links8221; to it.

The unusual embassy alert yesterday said the company was owned by Salman Ashraf 8212; who was taken into custody a few days ago 8212; and his father Rana Ashraf Khan,but it did not elaborate on its alleged ties to militants.

However,Rana Ashraf Khan said that he was shocked by the news of the detention of his son who had been missing for the past 12 days.

The US warning said American government personnel had been instructed to avoid patronising the caterer.

US officials had relayed information about the caterer8217;s suspected terrorism links to Pakistani authorities 8220;for their action,8221; the alert said.

30-year-old terror suspect Shahzad was arrested by the US federal authorities in New York on charges of plotting a car bombing at the Times Square on May 1. He has told investigating authorities that he was trained in Pakistan8217;s Waziristan tribal belt.

Investigations have held the Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan TTP responsible for the attempted bombing.