Pakistani Man Linked to ISIS charged with planning to attack Jewish Community in New York on October 7th.
A Pakistani man named Muhammad Shahzeb Khan has been charged with planning a terrorist attack against Jews in New York on October 7.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice. Khan, 20, is accused of plotting the attack in support of ISIS, allegedly targeting New York due to its large Jewish population. He was arrested in Canada and is facing charges for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
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| ISIS black flag |
Khan reportedly began discussing his support for ISIS in November 2023 on an encrypted messaging app with undercover law enforcement officers. He expressed his intention to form an offline ISIS cell to target Jewish institutions, encouraging the officers to acquire firearms for these attacks.
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Khan initially planned the attack for either October 7, the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, or October 11, Yom Kippur, a major Jewish holiday. By August 2024, Khan had decided to target a Jewish center in Brooklyn, stating that New York was an easy place to “target Jews” due to the city’s large Jewish population.
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| On October 7, Hamas attacked southern Israel |
Khan allegedly tried to cross the U.S.-Canada border in early September using multiple vehicles but was stopped 12 miles from the border. Authorities claim that Khan also paid a human smuggler to help him enter the U.S. He had been distributing ISIS propaganda and communicating with undercover agents about obtaining weapons and planning the attacks. He had identified specific locations in Brooklyn for the mass shooting and detailed how he would cross the border to carry out the plan.
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Khan now faces charges of attempting to provide support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The attack was intended to show his allegiance to ISIS, and he specifically targeted dates tied to Jewish significance: October 7, the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, and October 11, Yom Kippur.
Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the planned attack, saying that no community in the U.S. should live in fear of terrorism, while FBI Director Christopher Wray praised the efforts that prevented the plot. Khan's arrest has shed light on continued threats related to terrorist organizations like ISIS.