MUMBAI: The Maharashtra ATS is now piecing together the life and mindset of Zaib Zubair Ansari, the 31-year-old man arrested for allegedly carrying out a knife attack on two security guards in Mira Road after asking their religion and demanding they recite the ‘Kalma’.As per reports, the case has moved far beyond a routine assault probe. A search of Zubair Ansari’s house at Smita Regency building in Naya Nagar, uncovered a note referring to “first step” and “lone wolf” attacks and the Islamic State, prompting agencies to treat the matter with far greater seriousness.Man who lived aloneAs per news agency PTI, Zubair had been living alone at Smita Regency building, just around 200 metres from the site where the attack took place.Officials say he had lived in the United States with his parents from 2000 to 2020. He later returned to India after his work permit expired.After coming back, he reportedly stayed in Kurla in Mumbai and later in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, before shifting to Mira Road in 2022.Personal life under strainDuring questioning, investigators learned that Zubair’s wife is Afghan and had allegedly left him and gone to America.Officials are examining whether prolonged isolation, personal setbacks and online exposure may have influenced his behaviour.The morning of the attackAs per the PTI report, Zubair first approached the two guards posted at an under-construction building and asked for the address of a nearby mosque.When both guards said they did not know, he allegedly asked whether they were Hindus and walked ahead.Moments later, he returned, allegedly pulled out a knife from his pocket and attacked Subrato Sen and his supervisor Rajkumar Mishra.One of the victims told police the accused asked them their religion and demanded they recite the ‘Kalma’. When they could not, he allegedly stabbed them.Rajkumar Mishra was seriously injured.Disturbing material found at homeDuring searches, ATS officials recovered:
- A note referring to “lone wolf” attacks
- References to the Islamic State
- A laptop placed on a table
- Three copies of Quran
ATS sleuths are now examining digital evidence and the writings to understand whether Ansari was self-radicalised or influenced externally.Why ATS stepped inGiven the nature of the attack, the alleged religious targeting, and the material recovered from his house, the Maharashtra government transferred the case to ATS.Officials believe the incident may be a “lone wolf” attack carried out by a radicalised individual acting alone.Arrested quicklyAfter the stabbing, CCTV footage from the scene helped police identify Ansari, who was arrested within one and a half hours.A sensitive backdropThe Mira Bhayander–Vasai Virar belt has a socially mixed population and has seen communal tension in the past, including unrest during the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha rally in 2024.The investigation is now focused on understanding whether Ansari acted suddenly, planned the assault, or was inspired by extremist ideology.
- Zaib Zubair Ansari, 31, arrested for stabbing two security guards in Mira Road.
- Victims alleged he asked their religion and to recite the ‘Kalma’.
- Guards were attacked when they could not recite it, officials said.
- ATS recovered note mentioning “lone wolf” attacks and Islamic State.
- Laptop and three copies of Quran were also seized.
- Ansari lived alone 200 metres from attack site.
- He lived in the US from 2000 to 2020.
- Returned to India after work permit expired.
- Wife is Afghan and had reportedly left for America.
- ATS suspects prima facie a self-radicalised “lone wolf” style attack.
