Shahzad - a 'hybrid terrorist'

Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani-American Times Square bombing suspect, is being labelled as a "hybrid terrorist", someone who acted alone in the US but drew inspiration from outside extremist forces like the Taliban.

There may be other such radicalised Americans who are waiting for a chance to attack the country, CBS News reported. "In one sense, Shahzad was a lone wolf, with evidence suggesting that he alone bought, assembled and delivered his botched IED," it said. But, it is also clear that Shahzad had some help, "drawing inspiration, financial support and bomb training from the Pakistani Taliban," the report said, citing unnamed sources.

It also noted that out of the 15-20 people rounded up in Pakistan, none has been conclusively linked to the May 1 botched attack in Times Square where Shahzad allegedly tried to set off a car bomb. The 30-year-old Pakistani-American, which the report branded as a 'hybrid terrorist', was apprehended 53 hours later at John F Kennedy airport trying to escape to Dubai. He is believed to have been working in collusion with the Pakistan-Taliban.

If the Times Square bombing was successful, Shahzad planned to attack four other targets -- Rockefeller centre, a, Grand Central Terminal, the World Financial Centre and Connecticut headquarters of defence contractor Sikorsky The father of two worked as a financial analyst in Connecticut where he lived with his wife. But his personal and professional life began to unravel last year during the financial crisis. In two e-mails, the terror suspect has expressed frustration with the state of the Muslim world.

Shahzad is also likely to lose his home in Connecticut to foreclosure. Milford Superior Court had ordered that the accused would lose his house at 119 Long Hill Avenue if he did not repay Chase Home Finance LLC on July 31, the Connecticut Post reported. Shahzad currently has been charged with attempted terrorism and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. If convicted, he could be in prison for life.

The three other Pakistani men arrested in the US last month do not face criminal charges in connection with the foiled terror plot. They are said to have given Shahzad money but did not know what it would be used for. Pir Khan, a 43-year-old taxi driver from Watertown, Boston, was arrested on May 13, along with his cousin, Aftab Khan, 27, on immigration charges. On Monday, a federal immigration judge ruled that Pir Khan has been in the US illegally since 1991 but put off a decision on the deportation until August, according to the Boston Globe.