Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the Mira Road stabbing case appears to be an act of self-radicalisation, as investigators probe what police describe as a suspected “lone wolf” terror-style attack targeting members of the Hindu community.

The case relates to the stabbing of two security guards at an under-construction building in Mira Road, where the accused allegedly asked the victims their religion and told them to recite the Kalma before attacking them.

Speaking on the incident, Fadnavis said, "This appears to be a case of self-radicalisation. Some books and incriminating material were recovered from the accused's residence. He lived in the United States and had recently returned. Preliminary investigations have revealed that he was radicalised and had a desire to attack members of the Hindu community in the name of jihad, which led him to carry out this incident. The case is currently being investigated by the Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency and the state government is providing full cooperation to these agencies. The scope of the investigation will not be limited to the accused, but it will also investigate the individuals or networks behind his radicalisation. The entire case will be thoroughly investigated to uncover any possible conspiracy."

What happened in Mira Road?

According to police, the accused, identified as Zaib Zubair Ansari (31), allegedly attacked two guards in the early hours of Monday near an under-construction building in the Mira Road area of Thane district.

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Officials said Ansari first asked the guards for the address of a nearby mosque. When they said they did not know, he allegedly asked if they were Hindus and then moved away.

Seconds later, he reportedly returned, pulled out a knife and attacked security guard Subrato Sen and supervisor Rajkumar Mishra.

One official said one of the victims told police that the accused asked both men their religion and to recite the Kalma. When they could not, he stabbed them.

Mishra remains in critical condition, while Sen is receiving treatment.

ATS finds note on ‘lone wolf’ attacks

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which took over the investigation, searched Ansari’s residence in Naya Nagar, Mira Road, around 200 metres from the crime scene.

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Officials said investigators recovered a handwritten note referring to “lone wolf” attacks and the Islamic State, along with a laptop and three copies of the Quran.

Police said the material raised concerns over radicalisation and possible ideological motivation.

Accused had returned from US

Investigators said Ansari had lived in the United States with his parents from 2000 to 2020 before returning to India after his work permit expired.

He reportedly stayed in Kurla and Navi Mumbai before shifting to Mira Road in 2022, where he lived alone.

Officials said his wife, an Afghan national, had left him and returned to the US.

Wider conspiracy under probe

The Maharashtra government has handed the case to ATS, while the National Investigation Agency is also involved in the probe.

Authorities said investigators are examining whether the accused acted entirely alone or was influenced by individuals or online networks linked to radicalisation.