Man who knifed guards near Mumbai was self-radicalised, NIA to probe: CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said the Mira Road stabbing accused was self-radicalised through online content and literature, with a jihadist motive behind the attack on two security guards. The ATS and NIA are now probing the case, examining the accused's digital footprint and possible extremist links.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the accused in the Mira Road stabbing case was “self-radicalised”, citing his exposure to books, literature and online content, and confirmed that central agencies including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have joined the probe.
“Overall, after looking at the case, it appears to be one of self-radicalisation. Through books, literature and the internet, the accused radicalised himself,” Fadnavis said. He added that the accused acted with a jihadist motive, targeting individuals from another religion.
The Chief Minister said investigators would probe the wider ecosystem behind the radicalisation. “Who all are behind this, what links exist, and whether others have been radicalised in a similar manner will come out during the investigation,” he said, adding that the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has also joined in the probe.
Fadnavis further noted that the accused had spent time abroad and his family is currently based in the United States. After returning to India, he initially stayed in Kurla before moving to Mira Road’s Naya Nagar area.
ATTACK AFTER QUESTIONING ABOUT RELIGION
The accused, identified as Jaib Zubair Ansari, 31, allegedly stabbed two security guards in the early hours of Sunday near an under-construction building in Mira Road East after questioning them about their religion.
According to investigators, Ansari asked the guards – Rajkumar Mishra and Subroto Sen – their names and religion, and whether they could recite the Kalima. When they said they could not, he allegedly attacked them with a knife.
Mishra sustained serious injuries, including damage to internal organs, while Sen suffered minor injuries and managed to take shelter in a security cabin.
ACCUSED ARRESTED, DIGITAL TRAIL UNDER SCANNER
Police tracked Ansari using CCTV footage and arrested him within 90 minutes from his rented accommodation in Naya Nagar. After registering a case, investigators have found that Ansari regularly consumed ISIS-related propaganda content online, which is now a key focus of the probe.
Security agencies are examining his digital footprint, including videos and documents recovered from his mobile phone, to determine whether he was influenced by extremist ideology or acted as a “lone wolf”.
US RETURNEE, FORMER TEACHER
According to sources, Ansari studied in the United States until 2019 and later returned to India, where he lived alone in Mira Road. His landlord had recently asked him to vacate the rented flat by May 5.
He had also been teaching Chemistry and Mathematics at a coaching centre until about three to four months before the incident, after which he stopped.
Police have urged the public not to spread rumours or unverified claims about the case, warning of strict legal action against misinformation as the investigation progresses.