New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) An umbrella body of Indian Muslim groups has challenged the Syrian ambassador's claim that Indian Muslims were fighting along with rebel forces in his country.

The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM) said the Indian government should ask the diplomat to provide proof to back his reported claim.

AIMMM president Zafarul-Islam Khan said the ambassador had given a lame excuse that proof could not be presented to the Indian government because no senior Indian official had visited Syria recently. 

"The Syrian authorities (must) offer proof if they have any," said the statement.

Khan said a British national of Indian origin, Abbas Khan, an orthopaedic surgeon, was caught by Syrian authorities from a rebel-held area a few months ago. 

"This surgeon was offering humanitarian aid to the injured but he has been branded a foreign fighter by the Syrian regime," Khan said.