Thani: A 31-year-old man arrested for allegedly stabbing two security guards in Mira Road near Mumbai had lived in the United States for nearly two decades and returned to India after his work permit expired, according to investigation details reported by media outlets.
ATS Probes Possible Self-Radicalisation and ISIS References
The accused, identified as Zaib Zubair Ansari, is under investigation by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad after officials reportedly recovered material referring to “lone wolf” attacks and the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. Investigators are now examining whether Ansari was self-radicalised and whether his alleged radicalisation began while he was in the US or after he returned to India.
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Attack Took Place in Mira Road’s Naya Nagar
The incident took place in the early hours of Monday at an under-construction building site in the Naya Nagar area of Mira Road in Maharashtra’s Thane district.
According to reports, Ansari allegedly approached the security guards, asked them about their religion and later asked them to recite the Kalma. When they could not do so, he allegedly attacked them with a knife.
The injured guards have been identified in reports as Subroto Sen and Rajkumar Mishra. They were taken to the hospital after the attack. Police traced the accused using CCTV footage and arrested him shortly after the incident.
US Stay and Expired Work Permit Under Scanner
Investigators have also focused on Ansari’s long stay in the United States. Reports said he lived in the US with his parents from 2000 to 2020 and returned to India after his work permit expired in 2020.
After returning to India, Ansari reportedly stayed in Mumbai’s Kurla area, then in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, before moving to Mira Road. Since 2022, he had been living alone at the Smita Regency building in Naya Nagar, around 200 metres from the attack site. His wife, who is reportedly of Afghan origin, had left him and gone to the US.
Maps, Radical Videos and Tactical Manuals Found
According to reports, investigators found that Ansari had allegedly watched radical videos and studied maps of sensitive areas in Mumbai. Sources also claimed he was looking at tactical manuals related to “lone wolf” attacks.
Officials are now probing whether the attack on the guards was random or whether it was intended to test the response time of security forces. Since Ansari had earlier worked as a chemistry teacher at a local coaching centre, investigators are also checking whether he had any plans to prepare explosives or chemical devices.
Note Mentions ‘Lone Wolf’, ISIS, Jihad and Gaza
During a search of Ansari’s residence, the ATS reportedly recovered a handwritten note referring to “lone wolf” attacks and the Islamic State. Reports also said the note allegedly contained words such as “jihad” and “Gaza”, and that Ansari had expressed a desire to join the Islamic State.
A laptop and other materials were also seized from his residence. However, officials have not yet publicly confirmed that Ansari was a member of ISIS or had direct links with any terror organisation. The current probe is focused on possible self-radicalisation and whether anyone else influenced or assisted him.
The ATS, along with other agencies, is investigating Ansari’s digital activity, his past contacts, his years in the US, and whether the attack was part of a larger plan or carried out by him alone. Police have registered a case under relevant provisions related to attempted murder, promoting enmity and causing grievous hurt with weapons. Further investigation is underway.
