Zahid Iqbal, an Al Qaeda-inspired terrorist who planned to bomb a UK army base, faces release from prison in weeks, even though prison officials deem him too dangerous for freedom.
The 2013 Terror Plot
Iqbal belonged to a group that targeted a Territorial Army center in Luton. The plan involved a remote-controlled toy car loaded with a homemade explosive, following instructions from an Al Qaeda manual titled ‘Make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom – by the Al Qaeda chef.’
In 2013, Iqbal, now 43, received a 16-year sentence after pleading guilty to preparing acts of terrorism. He had organized training in Pakistan and explored acquiring weapons.
Parole Board Decision
The Parole Board has approved Iqbal’s release three years ahead of schedule. This ruling overrides recommendations from his prison offender manager and community offender manager to keep him incarcerated.
Iqbal was previously freed on November 2, 2021, but recalled to prison in 2023 due to violations, including undisclosed phone use. A review highlighted his completion of extremism programs and low engagement with radical ideology in custody. However, professionals noted uncertainty about his activities during supervised release.
The psychologist supported release, while the panel deemed the supervision plan sufficient. Conditions include residing at a designated address, disclosing relationships, allowing police searches, and limiting technology use. The board concluded Iqbal no longer poses a risk of extremist activity.
Links to Other Attackers
Iqbal reportedly connected to Khalid Masood, the 2017 Westminster attacker. Masood, from Luton, faced investigation in the army base plot; the pair may have met at a gym.
Criticism from Survivors and Experts
Jade Clough, injured in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, expressed terror over the decision. “I have real fear he will carry out an attack. It’s awful. Why not listen to the experts who know him? Surely they know him better than anyone recently? They are saying keep him in prison. It’s a shocking decision. It piles more and more pressure on our security services as well,” she stated.
Retired Colonel Richard Kemp, former UK commander in Afghanistan, called the move “extremely unwise.” “This has all the hallmarks of the case of the London Bridge attacker, Usman Khan. He was released and then carried out a horrific attack. I fear that happening here. The Parole Board has gone against the advice of experts. They are putting the lives of British citizens at risk. If this individual does attack, then the blood of his victims will be on the hands of the Parole Board,” Kemp warned.
Other Gang Members Released
Three accomplices—Umar Arshad (six years, nine months), Farhan Hussain (five years, three months), and Mohammed Sharfaraz Ahmed (11 years)—were released in 2023.
At Woolwich Crown Court in 2013, Mr Justice Wilkie QC described Iqbal and Ahmed as ongoing threats due to their commitment to terrorism, training abroad, and continued access to radical materials post-arrest. Their sentences included extended licence periods allowing recall.
