‘Forcing guards to recite karma’: Maharashtra knife-wielding ‘lone wolf’ attacker wants to join ISIS

New Delhi: A 31-year-old man accused of stabbing two security guards in Maharashtra’s Thane district is under investigation, with officials suspecting it could be a “lone wolf” terror attack.The attack occurred in the early morning of April 27 near a building under construction in the Naya Nagar area of ​​Mira Road on the outskirts of Mumbai. Police said the accused, Jabar Zubair Ansari, approached the guards on duty on the pretext of asking for directions before returning and asked them about their religion, news agency ANI reported. Investigators, citing eyewitness accounts, said he allegedly forced a guard to recite Islamic karma and when he failed, he attacked the two men with sharp weapons, ANI reported.The victims, Rajkumar Mishra and Subroto Ramesh Sen, were seriously injured and rushed to the hospital. Mishra remains in critical condition while Sen is undergoing treatment. Police said the attack took place after an argument, during which Ansari stabbed Mishra before attacking Sen nearby.Ansari was arrested within 90 minutes of the incident after being identified through CCTV footage. A case has been registered under sections related to attempt to murder and the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has taken over the investigation, citing the seriousness of the case and the background of the suspects.A search of Ansari’s home raised further concerns. Investigators reportedly found handwritten notes in which he expressed his desire to join the Islamic State and described the attack as a “first step” toward that goal. Officers are also examining material found on his electronic devices, including documents and videos, to determine whether he had any links to extremist operators or networks.According to officials, Ansari is a science graduate who spent several years in the United States before returning to India in 2019. He had been living alone at Mira Road, where he reportedly provided online chemistry tutoring. Investigators believe his period in isolation may have led to online radicalization, although they are continuing to analyze his digital footprint to determine the scope of any external links.