PESHAWAR, May 10: A US diplomat has denied any involvement of his country in the disappearance of tribal journalist Hayatullah Khan.

“We have seen reports regarding the disappearance of Mr Hayatullah Khan and allegations of US involvement in his detention. Hayatullah is not known to the United States. We have no information about his whereabouts,” US Consul in Peshawar Mike Spangler said in a brief statement issued here on Tuesday.

Mr Spangler’s statement is by far the most emphatic statement amid a number of speculations regarding the mysterious disappearance of Hayatullah.

The journalist from North Waziristan agency was kidnapped by masked gunmen in December last year.