Brooklyn Jewish Center Was Target of Foiled ISIS Plot, FBI Confirms

A Pakistani man accused of planning a mass shooting in Brooklyn to mark the anniversary of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack has been extradited to the U.S. to face terror charges.

U.S. authorities revealed on Tuesday that the suspect, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a Pakistani national residing in Canada, intended to strike a Jewish community center in Brooklyn in a plot coordinated with the terrorist organization ISIS. Canadian authorities detained him before the plan could unfold. FBI Director Kash Patel publicly confirmed the arrest and extradition.

Plot Centered on Anniversary of Hamas Attack in Israel

Khan allegedly selected October 7, 2024, for his attack—a date tied to Hamas’s brutal assault on Israel a year earlier. According to investigators, the plan was to create maximum fear and ideological symbolism.

The FBI said Khan was in contact with known ISIS sympathizers and was receiving online material to prepare for the attack.

He was allegedly “inspired by jihadist propaganda,” as one senior official put it, and had specifically chosen a Jewish religious center in Brooklyn, believing the symbolic timing would “resonate globally.”

A Canada-Based Suspect With Global Reach

Khan, though living in Canada, had reportedly been under surveillance for several months after being flagged by U.S. intelligence partners. He maintained encrypted communications and used burner accounts to stay under the radar.

Canadian authorities picked him up quietly late last year. Until now, there had been no public statement about the arrest.

This week, the U.S. unsealed the indictment and revealed how Khan allegedly:

• Sought to obtain firearms through black-market contacts

• Researched the center’s public schedules and events

• Engaged with pro-ISIS forums to gain tactical insights

Canadian authorities granted extradition after U.S. prosecutors formally charged him with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism on U.S. soil.

FBI Director Kash Patel Breaks Silence on X

The FBI’s Kash Patel used social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce the news, saying, “Major news… earlier this afternoon, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, was extradited to the United States on charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and attempting to commit acts of terrorism.”

It’s unusual for the FBI to confirm an extradition this quickly, suggesting authorities want to demonstrate how closely they’re monitoring foreign-based threats.

Patel’s post drew immediate reactions, especially from Jewish advocacy groups who praised law enforcement’s fast response and inter-agency coordination.

One comment under Patel’s post read: “Thank you for keeping our families safe. This is terrifying.”

Jewish Leaders in NYC Respond with Mixed Emotions

While many welcomed the FBI’s swift action, emotions were raw across Jewish communities in Brooklyn.

Rabbis and local leaders gathered at the same center that had been identified as a target. A statement from the synagogue’s board said: “It chills us to our core knowing how close we came to tragedy.”

Others expressed anger that such plots continue to fester.

“We are not safe until ideologies of hate are shut down at the root,” said a young activist at the vigil.

One paragraph. One sentence. That’s enough to make you pause.

Timeline of the Alleged Plot and Arrest

Here’s how it unfolded, according to official documents:

A source close to the case described the arrest as “a ticking clock stopped just in time.”

Legal Proceedings Begin as Public Demands Transparency

Khan has now been transported to a secure federal detention facility in New York, where he awaits his first court appearance later this week.

The Department of Justice has not yet commented in detail, but officials say prosecutors will seek the maximum penalty under terrorism statutes.

The Anti-Defamation League issued a press release urging full transparency and community updates.

Meanwhile, civil rights lawyers are preparing for legal debates on extradition process, trial jurisdiction, and intelligence sharing.

One thing is clear: the trial will be closely watched.

A Broader Trend: Lone-Wolf Terror Threats Still Persist

While the U.S. has made significant progress in countering organized terror cells, this case underlines a rising trend—lone-wolf actors radicalized online.

A DHS official, speaking anonymously, noted that encrypted apps and foreign-based operatives pose ongoing challenges. “This was a one-man op, but the ideology spreads like wildfire,” he said.

Here’s what else experts are warning about:

• Young radicals are spending hours on anonymous extremist forums.

• Tech-savvy users are masking their tracks with AI-written manifestos.

• Extradition alone may not deter new recruits unless online hubs are dismantled.

That’s a grim forecast. But it’s grounded in data.

Political Reactions Begin to Surface

Washington wasn’t silent either.

Some lawmakers, particularly from New York and New Jersey, called for enhanced cooperation with Canada to flag future threats early. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries tweeted: “We’re grateful this attack was stopped—but now we need better tools to prevent the next one.”

Senator Josh Hawley, meanwhile, turned the spotlight on immigration loopholes and urged for a “hard reset” on intelligence strategy with neighboring countries.

So yeah—security just got political. Again.