A 20-year-old Pakistani national, named Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, living in Canada was taken into custody after being charged with attempting to orchestrate an attack in New York City and providing material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), according to a statement released by the US Department of Justice on Friday.
As per the statement, Attorney general Merrick B Garland said that Khan who also goes by the name Shahzeb Jadoon allegedly planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7 “with the intent of slaughtering in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible.”
Khan attempted to travel from Canada to New York City and intended to carry out a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York.He was arrested in Canada, just 12 miles (19 km) from the US border.
“We are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this matter. Jewish communities like all communities in this country should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack,” Garland said in the statement.
Around November 2023, Khan began expressing his support for ISIS on social media platforms and through encrypted messaging applications. During this time, he shared ISIS propaganda videos and literature with others. Later, Khan started engaging in communication with two undercover law enforcement officers, according to the statement.
Khan told two undercover law enforcement officers to obtain AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other materials to carry out the attacks, and identified locations where the attacks would take place and shared information about his plans to cross the border from Canada into the United States to execute the attacks.
The planned attack was set for around Oct. 7, 2024, nearly a year after Hamas launched an assault in Israel, resulting in over 1,000 deaths. Khan said that “Oct 7th and Oct 11th are the best days for targeting the Jews” citing October 7 as the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel and October 11 as Yom Kippur, a Jewish religious holiday.
The Pakistani national faces a single count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation. If found guilty, he could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said, “The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here 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.”
“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 organizations. Fighting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority,” Wray added.
(With input from agencies)
As per the statement, Attorney general Merrick B Garland said that Khan who also goes by the name Shahzeb Jadoon allegedly planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7 “with the intent of slaughtering in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible.”
Khan attempted to travel from Canada to New York City and intended to carry out a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York.He was arrested in Canada, just 12 miles (19 km) from the US border.
“We are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this matter. Jewish communities like all communities in this country should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack,” Garland said in the statement.
Around November 2023, Khan began expressing his support for ISIS on social media platforms and through encrypted messaging applications. During this time, he shared ISIS propaganda videos and literature with others. Later, Khan started engaging in communication with two undercover law enforcement officers, according to the statement.
Khan told two undercover law enforcement officers to obtain AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other materials to carry out the attacks, and identified locations where the attacks would take place and shared information about his plans to cross the border from Canada into the United States to execute the attacks.
The planned attack was set for around Oct. 7, 2024, nearly a year after Hamas launched an assault in Israel, resulting in over 1,000 deaths. Khan said that “Oct 7th and Oct 11th are the best days for targeting the Jews” citing October 7 as the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel and October 11 as Yom Kippur, a Jewish religious holiday.
The Pakistani national faces a single count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation. If found guilty, he could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said, “The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here 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.”
“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 organizations. Fighting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority,” Wray added.
(With input from agencies)