Terror Suspect Behind 770 Attack Plot Extradited to U.S.

Pakistani citizen Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, who pledged allegiance to ISIS, was extradited to the U.S. this week, after plotting a mass shooting, “the biggest ever on U.S. soil since 9/11,” at the Rebbe’s shul using automatic weapons, timed for either Yom Kippur or the October 7 anniversary.

By Anash.org reporter

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, a Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, was extradited to the U.S. this week and is expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday. The charges include attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS) and attempting to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries. If convicted, Khan faces life imprisonment.

“Khan allegedly planned his attack to occur on October 7, 2024 – the one year anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Thankfully, the great work of FBI teams and our partners exposed those plans and shut them down.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Khan had pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons to carry out a mass shooting in the name of the terrorist group. He had identified the target as the “Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn”.

Authorities say Khan was arrested in September 2024 by Canadian law enforcement as he attempted to cross into the United States near Ormstown, Quebec, just 12 miles from the New York border. He was traveling using three different vehicles to evade detection.

The arrest came after a year-long undercover FBI operation. Khan had been in communication with two FBI agents whom he believed to be potential collaborators in the attack. Over the course of their conversations, he revealed his plan to create a “real cell” of ISIS supporters and instructed the agents to obtain AR-15 style rifles, ammunition, and hunting knives. He also suggested that they visit shuls in advance to familiarize themselves with the building layouts and identify emergency exits.

Khan told the agents not to grow beards to avoid suspicion and advised them to attend teffilos at the shul to “scope the building from inside.” He further stated that it was crucial “to trap the Jews and kill them inside,” according to court documents.

The would-be attacker described the planned massacre as potentially “the biggest ever on U.S. soil since 9/11,” and targeted October 7 or Yom Kippur as significant dates “for targeting the Jews.”

“The foreign terrorist organization ISIS remains a clear and present danger to the American people, and our Jewish citizens are especially targeted by evil groups like these”, said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a public statement. “The Department of Justice is proud to help secure this extradition, and we will prosecute this man to the fullest extent of the law.”

Canadian authorities confirmed that Khan had been distributing ISIS propaganda online since November 2023 and was actively trying to recruit others to join him. His arrest in September followed a detailed plan to enter the U.S. and carry out what he hoped would be a catastrophic terrorist attack.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton confirmed that prosecutors will seek a life sentence:

“Khan sought to carry out an ISIS-inspired assault using automatic weapons to kill as many members of the Jewish community as possible.”

The Justice Department reiterated its commitment to protecting Jewish communities, stating:

“Jews have become a primary target of these vicious terror groups. We will take every step to ensure justice is served and that threats to our communities are dealt with severely.”

Khan remains in U.S. custody as the legal proceedings begin in Manhattan federal court.