New York– A Pakistani citizen residing in Canada has been extradited to the United States to face federal terrorism charges, including attempting to provide material support to ISIS and plotting a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn. U.S. authorities announced the extradition on Tuesday, citing it as a critical step in preventing a potentially devastating attack.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, who was arrested in Canada on September 4, 2024, is accused of devising a violent attack inspired by the Islamic State. According to federal prosecutors, Khan planned to cross the border from Canada into New York to carry out the shooting on October 7, 2024—intentionally choosing the date to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Khan’s extradition in a statement posted on social media platform X, praising the coordinated efforts that led to the disruption of the plot. “Major news… earlier this afternoon, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan… was extradited to the United States on charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and attempting to commit acts of terrorism,” Patel wrote.
He added that Khan’s selection of October 7 for the planned attack was deliberately symbolic. “Khan allegedly planned his attack to occur on October 7, 2024 — the one-year anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel,” Patel stated.
Patel credited FBI teams and international law enforcement partners for thwarting what could have been a catastrophic act of violence. “Thankfully, the great work of FBI teams and our partners exposed those plans and shut them down,” he said, emphasizing the critical role of global intelligence-sharing in stopping terrorism before it reaches U.S. soil.
“This case is a reminder of the constant threat of terrorism facing every corner of the world — as well as the disturbing rise in threats against our Jewish communities,” he added, referencing the growing number of antisemitic threats in recent months.
The FBI Director also acknowledged the contributions of several field offices, including the New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles divisions, in ensuring Khan was brought to the U.S. to face justice.
Khan is currently in U.S. custody and is expected to stand trial in federal court in New York. Further details regarding his court appearance and legal proceedings are expected in the coming days. (Source: IANS)
