By Al-Fassel | 2025-06-18

A Pakistani citizen residing in Canada was extradited to the United States June 10 to face federal terrorism charges for allegedly plotting an "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS)-inspired mass shooting in New York City.

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan (aka Shahzeb Jadoon), 20, was charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS and "attempting to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries," the US Justice Department said.

Starting in November 2023, Khan used social media and encrypted messaging to express support for ISIS and share extremist propaganda materials, it said.

The FBI investigation revealed Khan had attempted to create what he called "a real offline cell" of ISIS supporters to carry out a coordinated assault using AR-style rifles targeting Jewish centers.

Khan communicated with two undercover law enforcement officers who he believed were fellow ISIS supporters, detailing his plans through encrypted messaging platforms.

He specifically targeted a Jewish center in the New York borough of Brooklyn after telling undercover officers that New York would be an ideal location due to its significant Jewish population, according to the federal complaint.

The investigation revealed Khan deliberately planned the attack to coincide with the October 7 anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, emphasizing the symbolic timing to the undercover officers.

Khan repeatedly instructed the undercover officers to acquire AR-style assault rifles and ammunition, boasting that "if we succeed with our plan this would be the largest Attack on US soil since 9/11," the federal complaint showed.

Cross-border infiltration

Khan arranged for a human smuggler to help him cross the US-Canada border and obtained a credit card to finance the operation.

On September 4, he attempted to reach the US border from the Canadian side using three separate vehicles before being stopped by Canadian authorities approximately 12 miles from the frontier.

"Khan allegedly tried to enter the United States to commit an attack on the Jewish community in New York City," FBI director Kash Patel said. "Thankfully, the great work of the FBI and our partners shut that down."

The case demonstrates the FBI's ongoing counterterrorism efforts to identify and disrupt ISIS-inspired attacks before they occur.

Khan faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted on both charges.

"The Department of Justice is proud to help secure this extradition, and we will prosecute this man to the fullest extent of the law," US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said.