The Tailor’s Son, Pilot Training and the 9/11 Claim That Shocked India

Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, the story of Mohammed Afroz remains one of the most unusual episodes to emerge from India's investigation into the global terror network.

In October 2001, just weeks after the attacks in the United States, Mumbai Police arrested Afroz after receiving intelligence about his background and overseas pilot training.

What followed was a dramatic investigation involving alleged plans to target major landmarks in Britain and Australia.

Who Was Mohammed Afroz?

Afroz was reportedly from Cheeta Camp in Mumbai's Trombay area, where his father worked as a tailor.

His modest family background raised questions for investigators because Afroz had reportedly travelled abroad for pilot training—an expensive undertaking.

Police began investigating who had allegedly financed his training and whether there was a larger organization behind it.

Investigators eventually traced Afroz to Hotel Abbott in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, where he was arrested.

The Extraordinary 9/11 Claim

According to Mumbai Police, Afroz claimed during questioning that he had been connected to the wider conspiracy surrounding the September 11 attacks.

The 2001 attacks involved 19 Al-Qaeda operatives who hijacked four commercial aircraft. Two planes crashed into New York's World Trade Center, another struck the Pentagon, while the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back.

Afroz allegedly told investigators that he had been part of a team preparing for another attack.

Alleged Plan to Target British Parliament

Police claimed Afroz said he had been assigned to hijack a flight travelling from London Heathrow to Manchester and crash it into the British Parliament.

According to the alleged account, the operation was supposed to take place on September 11, 2001.

However, after the attacks in the United States, security measures at airports were dramatically tightened, allegedly preventing the plan from being carried out.

Afroz also reportedly claimed that a wealthy British businessman had financed his pilot training and that an individual based in Australia had encouraged him to become involved in terrorism.

Pilot Training in Three Countries

One of the most striking elements of the case was Afroz's alleged claim that he had received pilot training in Australia, Britain, and the United States.

He also reportedly told investigators about another alleged plan targeting Melbourne's Rialto Towers in Australia.

These claims were considered serious enough to trigger an international investigation.

Mumbai Police Launched an International Probe

Mumbai Police sent investigation teams to the United States, Britain, and Australia to verify the information provided by Afroz.

The seriousness of the claims even saw then Mumbai Police Commissioner MN Singh travel to the United Kingdom as part of the investigation.

However, despite the international probe, investigators were unable to find sufficient evidence to substantiate the extraordinary allegations made by Afroz.

POTA Charges Were Eventually Dropped

Afroz had initially been taken into custody in connection with a robbery case and was subsequently booked under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).

But the investigation did not produce evidence that could establish the alleged terror conspiracy in court.

The prosecution later approved the removal of the POTA charges, following which Afroz was released.

Afroz maintained that he had been falsely implicated by the police and that the allegations against him were fabricated.

What Happened After His Release?

After his release, Afroz entered electoral politics and contested the Anushakti Nagar Assembly election, although he was unsuccessful.

The case remains a striking chapter in the aftermath of 9/11 because of the scale of the allegations and the international investigation they triggered.

However, it is important to distinguish between Afroz's reported claims and allegations made during interrogation and facts that were ultimately established in court. The investigation did not uncover evidence sufficient to substantiate the alleged international terror plot.