NEW YORK (Diya TV) — A 21-year-old Pakistani national has pleaded guilty to plotting a mass shooting at a Jewish center in New York, a plan U.S. officials say could have resulted in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in recent history. Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, admitted in federal court that he intended to carry out an ISIS-inspired attack targeting Jewish civilians in Brooklyn. Authorities said he aimed to strike on the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Khan planned to use automatic weapons to carry out a mass shooting at a prominent Jewish religious center in Brooklyn. Prosecutors said Khan carefully selected New York because of its large Jewish population. He described the city as an ideal target and said the attack could surpass previous acts of terrorism in scale.

“This would be the largest attack on U.S. soil since 9/11,” Khan told individuals he believed were co-conspirators, according to court documents.

Those individuals were actually undercover law enforcement officers.

Officials said Khan began expressing support for ISIS in late 2023. He shared extremist propaganda online and communicated with others about his beliefs. Over time, he developed a detailed plan. He identified a specific enclosed area within a Jewish center as a potential “kill zone.” He also shared photos of the location and repeatedly requested weapons, including AR-style rifles, ammunition, and knives. John A. Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for national security, said Khan acted with a clear and violent intent.

“He planned to kill as many Jews as possible,” Eisenberg said in a statement.

Khan initially considered targeting locations in another U.S. city. However, he later shifted his focus to New York in August 2024, believing it would have a greater impact.

Khan never reached his intended target. On Sept. 4, 2024, he traveled from the Toronto area toward the United States with the help of a human smuggler. Authorities arrested him in Ormstown, about 12 miles from the U.S. border. Canadian law enforcement worked closely with U.S. agencies during the operation. Khan was later extradited to the United States in June 2025.

Officials credited the disruption of the plot to a coordinated effort by the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force. The task force includes the FBI, the NYP, and dozens of federal, state, and local partners. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also played a key role in Khan’s arrest and extradition. Investigators monitored Khan’s communications for months. They gathered evidence through recorded conversations with undercover officers. These exchanges revealed the scale and seriousness of the planned attack.

Khan entered his guilty plea before Paul G. Gardephe in federal court. He now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The court has scheduled his sentencing for Aug. 12, 2026. Prosecutors said the case highlights the ongoing threat of online radicalization and lone-actor terrorism. They also emphasized the importance of international cooperation in preventing attacks.

Authorities continue to warn about the risks posed by extremist ideologies spreading through social media. Officials say individuals like Khan can become radicalized quickly and act with little outside support. Law enforcement agencies have increased monitoring of online activity linked to terrorist groups such as ISIS. They also continue to work with global partners to track and stop potential threats. The case underscores how close the plot came to execution. Officials said the intervention likely prevented a major tragedy.

“This case shows the importance of vigilance,” Eisenberg said. “Law enforcement acted in time to stop a deadly attack and protect innocent lives.”