Fadnavis said the ATS and NIA are investigating possible extremist links at the same time as they look at online material and writings that seem to have led Ansari to become radicalized. He also promised a broader investigation into anyone who may have helped or supported him.
Investigators found books and other concerning materials at Ansari’s home. Fadnavis also said the state government will give all possible help to the national agencies, and the investigation won’t stop with just the attacker; it will include anyone or any group that might have had an effect on him.
What the Chief Minister said
Based on what they’ve found so far, Fadnavis says Ansari was motivated by a “jihadist” viewpoint after he’d radicalized himself with books, writings and the internet. Right now, they’re trying to work out exactly what or who played a part in that process.
He emphasized that they will look at the entire environment that led to his radicalization, not only the man himself. He says the ATS and NIA are working together, and the state government is fully cooperating with them.
For clarity, these are the positions outlined by Fadnavis:
– The attack appears self-radicalised
– Targets were members of the Hindu community
– Agencies will track the radicalisation network
– State will fully support the investigation
Sequence of the attack
Police say Jaib Zubair Ansari, who is 31, attacked two guards near a building that is still being built in Mira Road in the early hours of the morning. Investigators say he initially asked for directions to a mosque nearby, then asked the guards their religion and if they knew the Kalma (an Islamic creed). Shortly after, he came back with a knife and stabbed Rajkumar Mishra (the supervisor) and Subroto Sen (the guard).
Officials state Mishra is very badly injured and is in critical condition, while Sen is receiving medical care. Police say Ansari told the victims to say the Kalma before he attacked them.
The Maharashtra government has given the case to the ATS, and the NIA has now joined the investigation. They are trying to determine whether Ansari acted completely on his own, or if people or groups online had something to do with it.
Investigation and digital trail
Officials say Ansari often looked at propaganda relating to ISIS online. The various agencies are analyzing all of his online activity, including videos and documents on his electronic devices, to understand what his beliefs were and if anyone else was influencing him.
Police used CCTV footage to track Ansari down and arrested him at his rented room in Naya Nagar within an hour and a half. A case has been opened at the Naya Nagar police station.
The ATS searched Ansari’s home in Naya Nagar, which is about 200 meters from where the attack took place. They found a handwritten note mentioning “lone wolf” attacks and the Islamic State, a laptop and three Qurans.
Investigators said their immediate priorities include:
– Mapping the accused’s online activity
– Tracing any contacts or facilitators
– Assessing exposure to extremist propaganda
– Verifying foreign and domestic travel history
Searches and seized material
Police say the things they found raise questions about his radicalization and the ideas that drove him. They are connecting the items they seized to his browsing history and who he communicated with to create a picture of how he became influenced.
Officials say Ansari lived in the United States for many years before coming back to India. After living in Kurla and Navi Mumbai, he was living by himself in Mira Road and, it is said, recently stopped working as a teacher at a coaching center.
Background and next steps
The authorities are also looking at his personal life, including the fact that he is separated from his wife who has returned to the US, as part of understanding his situation. Investigators are also checking records of where he has lived, because his landlord reportedly asked him to move out by the beginning of May.
Fadnavis said the investigation will be very thorough and will attempt to find out if there was any sort of plan or agreement. He also said that if they do find any links, that will determine what happens next and if any laws relating to terrorism will be used.
Police have asked people not to spread rumors or information about the case that hasn’t been confirmed. They have warned that they will take strong action against people who spread false information while the investigation is going on.
The ATS and NIA are expected to update the state government on how things are going, including the results of looking at digital evidence and any new information about networks of people pushing extremism. At the moment, the main concerns are Mishra getting better and making sure they find all the evidence that will show whether this was done by one person or by a larger, more widespread group.
