Headley's visa papers still missing, says government

NEW DELHI: Government on Thursday said documents related to Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Coleman Headley's visa were yet to be traced while those of his associate Tahawwur Rana have been found.

"Rana's visa papers have been found. We are tracing those of Headley," minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor told reporters in New Delhi when asked to comment on reports about disappearance of documents related to the visas issued by the Indian Consulate in Chicago.

Seeking to downplay media reports that sensitive papers pertaining to the issuance of visas to Headley and Rana have gone missing, the Consulate has issued a clarification saying they have "not reported" loss of any papers.

Meanwhile, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao refused to comment, merely saying that she had sought a report and the matter was being probed. "I have asked for factual report. The matter is under investigation," Rao told reporters.

"There is a procedure. I will not answer any questions in this regard," she added.