Pakistani man Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, who planned to carry out the “biggest” US attack “since 9/11,” was arrested for plotting to murder Jews in New York

A Pakistani citizen who planned to carry out the “largest” terrorist attack on US soil since September 11, 2001, killing Jews, has been arrested in Canada.

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested in connection with a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Friday (September 6).

Khan, 20, a Pakistani national living in Canada, was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“The defendant (Khan) was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly a year after Hamas' horrific attack on Israel. This investigation was led by the FBI, and I am proud of the great work of the FBI team and our partners in thwarting Khan's plan,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Khan was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on a warrant from the Southern District of New York for providing material support to terrorism.

“As alleged, Khan attempted to enter the United States to carry out a terrorist attack and murder as many Jews as possible, all in support of ISIS,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

“Khan’s alleged crimes are a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant in the fight against anti-Semitism and terror,” Williams added.

Khan has been using encrypted messaging apps since last November to plan the attack in Brooklyn, including distributing pro-ISIS propaganda, videos and literature, the Justice Department said in a press release.

He soon began unknowingly communicating with two undercover agents, telling them that he and an accomplice in the U.S. were planning to form a “real offline cell” of ISIS supporters to carry out a “coordinated attack” using AR-style assault rifles. They planned to “attack Israeli Jewish Chabad cells… scattered throughout” an unspecified city other than New York.

Khan repeatedly directed undercover agents to obtain AR-style assault rifles, ammunition and other materials to carry out the attacks, and identified the exact locations in the unnamed city where the attacks would take place.

Khan also revealed details about how he would cross the border from Canada to the United States to carry out the attacks.

During his discussions with undercover agents, Khan stressed that “October 7 and 11 are the best days to target Jews” because “there will certainly be protests on October 7 and October 11 is Yom Kippur,” according to the Justice Department.

Around August 20, Khan changed his target from the unnamed city to New York, saying he wanted to attack a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York.

“New York is perfect for attacking Jews” because it has the “largest Jewish population in America” ​​and therefore, “even if we don't attack[n] Event[,] We could arrest a lot of Jews without any problem,” Khan is reported to have said, adding: “We will go to New York City to slaughter them.”

After that, Khan continued to urge the UCs to procure AR rifles, ammunition and other equipment for his attack, including “some good hunting weapons [knives] so we can slit their throats,” the Justice Department said.

In one of these conversations, Khan noted: “If our plan succeeds, this would be the largest attack on U.S. soil since September 11.”

On September 4, Khan attempted to reach the US-Canadian border as planned in connection with his attack.

“To do this, Khan traveled through Canada toward the United States in three different cars before being stopped in or around Ormstown, Canada, approximately 12 miles from the U.S.-Canadian border,” the Justice Department said.

US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland pointed out that Khan planned his attack around October 7, the anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel, with the intention of killing as many Jews as possible under the banner of ISIS.

“Jewish communities – like all communities in this country – should not have to fear being the target of a hateful terrorist attack,” Garland said.

“The Department of Justice will continue to work closely with our domestic and international partners to vigorously counter the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist organizations and their supporters,” he added.

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