Two Pakistani American Men in Utah Arrested After Explosive Device Found Under News Vehicle
Two men were arrested on terrorism charges after authorities discovered an incendiary device under a Fox 13 News vehicle and found additional explosives at their Utah home, officials said Monday.
Adeeb Nasir, 58, and Adil Justice Ahmed Nasir, 31, both of Magna, Utah, face charges including threat of terrorism, possessing weapons of mass destruction, and attempted aggravated arson following their arrest Sunday, according to Salt Lake County Jail records.
The investigation began Friday when the explosive device was found under a vehicle belonging to Salt Lake City’s KSTU Fox 13 News. The device “had been lit but failed to function as designed,” according to an affidavit filed by Unified Fire Authority investigator Jeffrey David Nelson.
Because the vehicle was parked “next to an occupied building,” authorities called it a “significant threat to public safety,” prompting the FBI to take over the investigation.
FBI agents traced the suspects to their Magna residence and executed a search warrant Saturday with assistance from Salt Lake City Police and fire department bomb squads, according to Fox 13 News.
During the search, investigators found two devices the suspects claimed were “real” weapons of mass destruction, forcing an evacuation of the home and surrounding neighborhood, Nelson stated in court documents.
The search also uncovered firearms, explosives, illegal drugs and electronic devices believed to contain evidence related to the original device, according to the affidavit. Both suspects were prohibited from possessing firearms under existing protective orders, police said.
State District Judge Dianna M. Gibson ordered both men held without bail Sunday, agreeing with prosecutors that they posed “a danger to the community and a flight risk.”
Jail records show Adeeb Nasir was born in Pakistan and operates under the alias “Eddie Nash,” while Adil Nasir was born in Utah.
The incident occurred as news organizations have increased their presence in Utah following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last week. However, authorities have not disclosed whether the Fox 13 vehicle was deliberately targeted or revealed any motive for the attack.
“We do not have information from law enforcement about motive,” Fox 13 Station Manager Leona Wood told The Washington Post. The station, owned by E.W. Scripps, said it was “working closely with law enforcement and our risk management team, with the safety of our employees as our top priority.”
The Salt Lake City Police Department and FBI declined to provide additional information about the ongoing investigation. It was unclear whether the suspects had retained attorneys. Additional federal charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
This story was aggregated by AI from several news reports and edited by American Kahani’s News Desk.