NEW DELHI: A 31-year-old man has been apprehended following an attack on two security guards in Thane district, Maharashtra, which authorities are investigating as a potential “lone wolf” terror incident. The attack occurred early on April 27, near an under-construction site in the Naya Nagar area of Mira Road, a suburb of Mumbai.
The suspect, identified as Jabar Zubair Ansari, allegedly approached the guards under the pretense of seeking directions. Eyewitness accounts reported that Ansari subsequently questioned the guards about their religion and forced one of them to recite the Islamic Kalma. When the guard was unable to comply, Ansari reportedly assaulted both men with a sharp weapon, as per information from the news agency ANI.
The victims, Rajkumar Mishra and Subroto Ramesh Sen, sustained serious injuries and have been hospitalized, with Mishra reported to be in critical condition while Sen is receiving ongoing treatment. The assault escalated after a verbal confrontation, with Ansari initially attacking Mishra and then targeting Sen nearby.
Ansari was arrested within 90 minutes of the incident, having been identified through CCTV footage. Law enforcement has initiated a case against him for attempted murder, and the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is now handling the investigation due to the nature of the incident and concerns regarding the suspect’s background.
Investigators have conducted searches at Ansari’s residence, yielding handwritten notes that express a desire to join ISIS and categorize the attack as a “first step” toward that ambition. Officials are also scrutinizing material retrieved from his electronic devices, including documents and videos, to determine if there were any connections to extremist groups or networks.
According to authorities, Ansari holds a degree in science and spent several years in the United States before returning to India in 2019. He had been living alone in Mira Road and reportedly provided online chemistry tutoring. Investigators suggest that his isolation may have led to his radicalization online, and they are continuing to explore his digital footprint for any further links to extremist ideology.
