NEFA Foundation Report: "Anatomy of a Modern Homegrown Terror Cell: Aabid Khan et al." (Operation Praline)

By Evan Kohlmann

The NEFA Foundation has published a new report that I have written, titled "Anatomy of a Modern Homegrown Terror Cell." The report focuses on the recent criminal trial of Aabid Hussain Khan at the Blackfriars Crown Court in London, as told through the actual evidence seized by U.K. authorities and the detailed testimony of Khan himself. According to Karen Jones, the reviewing lawyer in the case from the U.K. Crown Prosecution Service, "The evidence showed Khan was a committed and active supporter of Al-Qaida ideology… He preyed on vulnerable young people and turned them into recruits to his cause, using internet chat to lure them in then incite them to fight. He arranged their Pakistan for terrorism training, and talked about a 'worldwide battle.'"

During an online chat session with co-conspirators, Khan boasted of his desire “to take out” as many people as possible, even innocent civilians: “attacks are permissable through out this world, so the world a battlefield in my vision, everything, almost, is a target… so if you can find a big target and take it out, say like a military base in uk, then alhamdulillaah.” In another similar conversation, Khan confessed, “you dont know how much fury i have towards these american dogs.” Khan was remarkably forthright in laying out his larger plan: “what i want to do is cause trouble for kuffar [infidels] by hit and runs[,] everywhere[,] cause fear and panic in their countries[,] make them nervous so they make mistakes… insha’allaah commando training. i was all ready[sic] reported to the airport and police by my parents… [but it is] too late, the terrorists have brainwashed us.” When Khan insisted to another prospective cell member “our duty is to cause damage to the kuffar [infidels] in each and every place possible”, the recruit joked that Khan might not be patient enough to actually reach his chosen target: “the way u talk it seems like ur planning out a fidayee [suicide commando] attack on the plane lol.” Grinning, Khan responded, “if it does not come to that, then we wont insha’allaah.”

The 21-page report includes an additional 3-page Appendix with highlights from the evidence seized from Khan--including still images from reconnaissance videos allegedly filmed by Atlanta, Georgia residents Ehsanul Sadequee and Syed Haris Ahmed; and, from a video Khan himself recorded in July 2006 in a remote region of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

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