The suspect left his village in the Punjab region in Pakistan, in early 2018 time frame so he could be smuggled to Europe, following the example set by his brothers who were among the least 18 young men from the village who have left to reach Europe. According to Associated Press, villagers considered the suspect a hero for carrying out the Paris attack. The suspect's father championed his son's actions, but was later warned by Pakistani police to speak publicly.[1]