Was London Bridge Attacker, Usman Khan, Trained in Pakistan?

London terror attack accused, Usman Khan, was convicted under terror charges and sentenced in 2012.

(Left) The area on London bridge where the attack occurred. (Right) A mugshot of Usman Khan.

(Photo: AP)

The attacker who stabbed five people on London bridge on 29 November, has been identified as 28-year-old Usman Khan. Khan, who was shot dead by the Scotland Yard officers at the spot, was convicted in 2012 under charges of terrorism.

Usman Khan was attending a programme that works to educate prisoners when he attacked people on the London Bridge, killing two and injuring three others, reported AP.

‘Training And Planning in Pakistan’

Usman Khan reportedly left school with no qualifications after spending a part of his teenage years in Pakistan. He lived in Pakistan with his mother when she fell ill.

The Guardian reported that an independent reviewer of terrorism wrote in a July 2013 report that Khan and two other men from Stoke travelled to Pakistan’s federally administered tribal areas . The exercise was to reportedly plan, fund and take part in a terrorist training camp in Kashmir.

Usman Khan was reportedly inspired by the Al-Qaida.

Role in Plotting London Stock Exchange Attack

In 2012, Usman Khan was convicted for his role in plotting to plant bombs in the London Stock Exchange, the American embassy and the home of the then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. In total, 9 extremists from Stoke, Cardiff and London were arrested for plotting the attacks.

The extremists had reportedly talked about planting a pipe bomb in the London Stock Exchange and other locations. A handwritten note with the names of their targets were also found, reported The Guardian.

At the time of Khan’s sentencing, the judge warned that he was a "serious jihadist" who should not be released while he remained a threat to the public, reported Telegraph.

Khan, however, was released from prison on licence. This meant that he had to meet certain conditions or be recalled to prison.

“This individual was known to authorities, having been convicted in 2012 for terrorism offences. He was released from prison in December 2018 on licence.” 

Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu in a statement to <i>AFP </i>

Usman Khan was reportedly also wearing an electronic ankle bracelet at the time of the attack on 29 November. Neil Basu said that Khan appeared to be wearing a hoax explosive device while he carried out the attack, reported Telegraph.

(With inputs from PTI, AFP, Telegraph and The Guardian)