Investigators probing the Mira Road stabbing incident have revealed that the accused, Zaib Zubair Ansari, stated he attacked two security guards because he expected to be killed in the aftermath and had left behind a note claiming allegiance to ISIS.
The note, written in pencil and found near his laptop, reportedly read: “Lone wolf would attack you all”. According to details received by The Chenab Times, Ansari informed investigators that his expectation of being killed after the attack led him to leave the note claiming responsibility.
The incident occurred in the early hours of April 27 in the Naya Nagar area of Mira Road, a suburb north of Mumbai. Ansari allegedly attacked two security guards at an under-construction site after questioning them about their religion. The security supervisor sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment, while the guard suffered minor injuries.
The case, initially handled by the Mira Bhayandar police, was transferred to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) due to the suspected ideological motive. The ATS has been examining the recovered material, including handwritten notes, which reportedly reference ISIS and “jihad in Bilad al-Hind”.
Sources suggest that Ansari, who had returned from the United States after his work permit expired, may have been self-radicalised. Investigators are analysing his digital devices, including a laptop and mobile phones, for evidence of online radicalisation or external influence. It is reported that Ansari had studied sensitive maps of Mumbai and consumed radical content online.
The Times of India reported that police recovered handwritten notes from Ansari’s residence in which he allegedly expressed a desire to join ISIS, describing the stabbing attack as a “first step” towards that objective. This detail was corroborated by The Indian Express, which added that the note also contained a hand-drawn ISIS flag and other extremist statements.
The accused’s lawyer has contested the evidence, claiming it was “planted” as his client’s house was not sealed after his arrest. However, the ATS is treating the recovered documents as crucial evidence, though their authenticity and context are still under examination.
The Economic Times reported that the incident brought back chilling memories of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, where tourists were asked to recite ‘Kalma’ before being killed. In the Mira Road incident, eyewitness claims suggest Ansari first approached the guards for directions to a mosque, returned, and then questioned them about their religion before launching the knife attack.
The investigation is ongoing, with multiple agencies working to verify the alleged links, digital evidence, and the contents of the recovered materials to understand the motive behind the attack. Officials are also examining whether Ansari had plans to prepare explosives or chemical devices, given his background as a former chemistry teacher.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
