Pakistan-born teenager charged for planning terror attack in New York

A Pakistan-born teenager has been charged with attempting to provide material support to terror group Islamic State after he planned a stabbing or bombing attack at busy locations around New York City.

Awais Chudhary, a 19-year-old naturalized US citizen born in Pakistan, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn. 

Chudhary was arrested on August 29 and me his initial appearance before US Magistrate Judge James Orenstein. He was ordered held without bail.

" defendant allegedly planned to conduct a dely attack in New York on behalf of ISIS," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said. 

Chudhary planned to kill innocent civilians on behalf of ISIS and record bloodshed in hope of inspiring ors to commit attacks, prosecutors said. 

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment.

New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill said Chudhary h carefully planned, conducted reconnaissance, picked a target, and was in process of obtaining weapon. 

"All he has left to do was to strike," he said.

According to complaint, in August 2019, Chudhary communicated to undercover law enforcement officers through text message that he planned to conduct a stabbing or bombing attack on behalf of ISIS. Chudhary also wanted to record his attack to inspire ors to commit similar acts of violence.

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teenager identified pedestrian bridges over Grand Central Parkway to Flushing Bay Promene ( Promene) and World's Fair Marina ( Marina) as locations for attack. 

Earlier this month, Chudhary told an undercover agent that he intended to use a knife "because that's what he knows", but if undercover agent could instruct him on how to build a bomb, he would consider using an explosive device at a "mini-bridge over a busy ro with many cars".    

On same day, Chudhary texted anor undercover agent a screenshot of a document entitled, "Islamic State" with subheings: "Places to Strike", " Ideal Knife" and "Knives to Avoid".

He also sent undercover agent videos of pedestrian bridges over Grand Central Parkway and stated that he was considering throwing explosives over fencing at vehicles passing below.

Chudhary conducted several reconnaissance trips to targeted locations. FBI agents surveilled Chudhary enter Promene in New York City and take videos and photos with his cellphone of various locations, as well as Marina, a nearby gas station, a donut shop and a security camera near donut shop.

youth also ordered online a tactical knife, a mask, gloves and a cellphone chest and he strap to facilitate his recording of attack.  

Chudhary was arrested as he attempted to retrieve items from an online vendor's retail location in Queens. 

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