A man who returned from the US in 2019 allegedly stabbed two security guards in Thane, Maharashtra, in a suspected religiously motivated attack
NEW DELHI: The Nayanagar police arrested a 31-year-old man within 90 minutes of allegedly stabbing two security guards at an under-construction building in Mira Road near Mumbai in the early hours of Monday.The accused, Zaib Zubair Ansari, a Mumbai native who had returned from the US in 2019, allegedly attacked the guards, Rajkumar Mishra and Subroto Ramesh Sen, with a knife around 4am at a site behind Wockhardt Hospital. Both victims were rushed to hospital, with Mishra reported to be in critical condition while Sen is undergoing treatment, news agency PTI reported.According to police, the attack happened when Ansari allegedly questioned Mishra over some issue.When Mishra resisted, an argument broke out, during which Ansari stabbed him. He then attacked Sen, who was nearby.Based on CCTV footage, police identified and apprehended Ansari within 90 minutes of the assault. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempt to murder.Given the nature of the attack and materials recovered from the accused’s phone, including videos and documents deemed incriminating, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has taken over the probe.
Investigators are examining whether Ansari was radicalised and if he was planning a possible “lone wolf” attack.Ansari, originally from Kurla, was living alone in Nayanagar. ATS teams have questioned him and searched his residence as part of the ongoing investigation, which is now being monitored by senior state police officials.(With PTI inputs)
