"If we succeed with our plan, this would be largest attack on US ...," said message of Pakistan national arrested for planning terror attacks in New York

Role of encrypted messaging apps may again be in focus. A 20-year-old Pakistani citizen, residing in Canada, has been arrested and charged by the US for planning a terror attack . Khan, or Shahzeb Jadoon, planned a terrorist attack in New York City (NYC) around October 7 with the "goal of slaughtering, in the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), as many Jewish people as possible," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Khan planned the terrorist attack on Jews in New York City (NYC) around October 7 anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel.

Khan communicated with other members through encrypted messaging apps. Police have not so far not revealed the name of the app/apps he used. According to the complaint filed in New York, Khan attempted to travel from Canada to New York City, where he intended to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons to carry out a mass shooting in support of the IS at a Jewish centre in Brooklyn, New York.

Khan used social media and messaging apps to communicate
Khan began posting on social media and communicating with others on encrypted messaging apps about his support for the IS in or about November last year when, among other things. Khan also used these apps to distribute IS propaganda videos and literature. "If we succeed with our plan, this would be the largest attack on US soil since 9/11," he said in one of the messages.

Khan was reportedly caught after he began communicating with two undercover law enforcement officers, the statement said. The statement added that during those conversations, Khan confirmed that he and a US-based IS supporter, identified only as Associate-1 in the complaint, had been planning to carry out an attack in a particular US city, identified as 'City-1.'

During these conversations with the undercover officers, Khan is reported to have emphasised that "October 7 and Oct 11 are the best days for targeting the Jews" stating the community will surely hold some protest demonstrations on the first anniversary and October 11 is 'Yom Kippur,' an important Jewish festival.

Telegram CEO arrest and 'ban' on WhatsApp
Though police have not revealed the name of the encryption app in this case. These apps have been under the crosshairs of law enforcement agencies in several nations. Last month, French investigators detained Telegram CEO Pavel Durov at Le Bourget airport outside Paris and questioned him for four days as part of a sweeping probe opened earlier this year. French allegations against Durov include that Telegram is used for child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking and terror activities, and that the platform refused to share information or documents with investigators when required by law.

There have also been continuing government moves in several other countries, including in the UK, to ban end-to-end encryption and allow police to read suspected criminals' messages.