Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 28: The pre-dawn stabbing incident in Mumbai’s Mira Road area has taken a serious turn, with police now probing it as a possible lone-wolf terror attack driven by radical ideology.
The attack occurred around 4 am on April 27 at an under-construction site in Naya Nagar, where two security guards — Rajkumar Mishra and Subroto Sen — were assaulted. Both sustained serious injuries, with one reported to be in critical condition.
According to Mumbai Police, the accused, Zaib Zubair Ansari, allegedly profiled the victims before carrying out the attack. He reportedly asked their names, enquired about their religion, and checked whether they could recite the Islamic kalma. When they failed, he is said to have stabbed them, indicating that the victims were targeted based on religious identity.
Investigators have termed the act as religiously motivated and consistent with a “lone wolf” pattern, where an individual acts independently but is influenced by extremist ideology. The case has now been transferred to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad for further investigation.
Preliminary findings suggest the accused may have been radicalised through online content. Officials said his digital footprint includes access to multiple channels on Telegram that allegedly promote extremist narratives, including calls for violence against “non-believers.”
Sources added that investigators recovered material referencing global conflicts such as Gaza, along with notes invoking the concept of “real jihad.” While no direct links to any terror organisation have been established, authorities suspect ideological influence from groups such as ISIS.
The incident has raised fresh concerns among security agencies, particularly in light of similar attacks where victims were targeted based on identity.
Authorities have intensified the probe, conducting searches at the accused’s residence in Mira Road and continuing interrogation. Officials said the focus remains on assessing the extent of radicalisation, identifying any possible contacts, and determining whether others may have been influenced by similar online content.