Accused questioned victims’ religion before attack; police, ATS probe possible radicalisation angle
A 31-year-old man has been arrested in Mumbai’s Naya Nagar area for allegedly stabbing two security guards after asking them to identify their religion and recite the Kalma, police sources said.
The accused, Zaib Zuber Ansari, reportedly confronted the guards—Rajkumar Mishra and Subroto Sen—at an under-construction building behind Wockhardt Hospital in the early hours of Monday, around 4 am, before attacking them.
Both victims sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment at the same hospital. Mishra managed to reach the facility on his own, while Sen was assisted by a local resident, Nayab Sheikh.
Sheikh, who lives in a nearby building, said he found Sen injured and hiding inside the guards’ booth while returning home from work. He first took him to a police station and then to the hospital.
Police tracked down Ansari using CCTV footage and arrested him within 90 minutes of the attack. He was taken to Naya Nagar Police Station, where a case was registered against him, including charges of attempted murder and promoting enmity between groups.
Ansari was later produced before a court in Thane and remanded to police custody till May 4.
Investigation underway
A joint team of Mumbai Police and the state Anti-Terror Squad is investigating the case. Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid spreading rumours and warned of strict action against misinformation.
Officials are examining mobile phones and electronic devices seized from the accused to determine whether the attack was an isolated incident or part of a larger plan.
Sources said certain terms, including references to extremist ideologies and global conflict zones, were found in notes allegedly written by Ansari. Investigators are probing whether he was influenced by online material.
According to sources, Ansari had lived in the United States for several years before returning to India after being unable to secure employment. He was residing alone in the Mira Road area and reportedly earned a living by conducting online chemistry classes.
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