Pakistani citizen charged in plot to target Jews in New York
WASHINGTON: A 20-year-old Pakistani citizen, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to the militant Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) group, a designated foreign terrorist organisation.
Khan was arrested in Canada on Sept 4.
According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Khan allegedly planned a terrorist attack in New York City around Oct 7, with the stated goal of targeting Jewish people in the name of IS. Commenting on the case, US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted the efforts of the FBI and their partners in disrupting the alleged plan.
FBI Director Christopher Wray praised the collaborative efforts, stating, “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to commit violence in the name of ISIS or other terrorist organisations.”
Shahzeb Khan taken into custody in Canada on Sept 4
The DOJ emphasised that the complaint is merely an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The official complaint alleges that Khan attempted to travel from Canada to New York City, intending to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons to carry out a mass shooting at a Jewish centre in Brooklyn.
The suspect allegedly began expressing his support for ISIS on social media and through encrypted messaging platforms around November 2023, sharing ISIS propaganda and engaging with undercover law enforcement agents.
Khan reportedly discussed forming “a real offline cell” of ISIS supporters to execute a coordinated assault in a US city, targeting Jewish centres with AR-style rifles. He allegedly indicated specific dates for the attacks, noting, “Oct 7th and Oct 11th are the best days for targeting the jews” due to anticipated protests on Oct 7 and Yom Kippur on Oct 11.
On Sept 4, Khan attempted to cross the US-Canada border, using three separate vehicles in his journey across Canada. He was apprehended approximately 19km from the US-Canada border near Ormstown.
Khan faces one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024