A Pakistani man residing in Canada has been arrested on charges of plotting an attack on Jews in New York City around the time of the October 7 anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested on Wednesday on charges filed in the United States, the Justice Department said.
Khan was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). “The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7 of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of (the Islamic State), as many Jewish people as possible,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
Mass Shooting In US
“Thanks to the investigative work of the FBI, and the quick action of our Canadian law enforcement partners, the defendant was taken into custody,” Garland said. According to the criminal complaint, Khan planned to travel to New York and carry out a mass shooting in support of IS at a Jewish center in Brooklyn on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
In the statement, FBI Director Christopher Wray said Khan was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people in the United States, “nearly one year after Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel.” “This investigation was led by the FBI and I am proud of the terrific work by the FBI team and our partners to disrupt Khan’s plan,” he added.
ISIS Support
Khan revealed his plans in conversations with conspirators who were actually undercover law enforcement officers, it said. Khan was taken into custody by Canadian authorities in the town of Ormstown some 19 kilometers from the US-Canada border.
“Khan began posting on social media and communicating with others on an encrypted messaging application about his support for ISIS in or about November 2023, when, among other things, Khan distributed ISIS propaganda videos and literature. Subsequently, Khan began communicating with two undercover law enforcement officers,” the Justice Department said. The US federal government said it will seek his extradition from Canada. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
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