MIRA ROAD, MAHARASHTRA — What began as a quiet night shift at an under-construction site in Naya Nagar ended in a chilling display of targeted violence early Monday morning, April 27, 2026. A 31-year-old man, identified as Zaib Zubair Ansari, was arrested after allegedly stabbing two security guards following a bizarre and terrifying "religious litmus test."

The victims, Rajkumar Mishra and Subroto Sen, were on duty behind Wockhardt Hospital when Ansari reportedly approached them under the pretext of asking for directions to a nearby mosque. According to police statements and eyewitness accounts, the interaction quickly took a dark turn.

The confrontation began when Ansari allegedly interrogated the guards about their religious identity, specifically demanding to know if they were Hindus. He then reportedly ordered them to recite the Kalma—an Islamic declaration of faith—as a form of religious litmus test. When the guards were unable to comply, the situation turned violent; Ansari allegedly produced a sharp weapon and launched a frantic attack, leaving both men with serious injuries.

Both guards sustained serious injuries. Mishra, despite being stabbed multiple times, managed to reach the hospital on his own. Sen was rescued by a local resident, Nayab Sheikh, who spotted the bleeding guard and rushed him to the police station.

Following a rapid 90-minute manhunt fueled by CCTV footage, local police apprehended Ansari at his rented residence in the Smita Regency building. He has since been remanded to police custody until May 4.

The case has transitioned from a localized assault to a high-priority investigation by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) following disturbing discoveries at Ansari’s residence. Investigators recovered handwritten journals where the science graduate allegedly expressed a desire to join ISIS, framing the stabbing as a "first step" toward that goal.

Ansari, who lived in the U.S. for several years before his 2019 return to India, had been living in isolation and working as an online chemistry tutor—a background that authorities are now cross-referencing with his digital footprint to identify signs of online radicalization or contact with extremist handlers.

"The investigation is now focused on whether this was a 'lone wolf' style attack or if there are broader links involved," said an official from the Naya Nagar police station. "The recovery of notes mentioning terms like 'jihad' and 'Gaza' has made this a priority for national security agencies."

The Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police have issued an urgent appeal for calm, urging residents not to circulate rumors on social media. The incident has sent shockwaves through the suburb, which has seen heightened communal sensitivity in recent months.