One of the four hostages taken during services at a synagogue near Fort Worth, Texas has been released, law enforcement officers said. He is uninjured, and the FBI are still negotiating with the hostage taker to secure the release of the others.

Also read: Colleyville hostage crisis: One hostage released; FBI still negotiating

A US official familiar with the evolving situation told ABC News that the hostage taker has claimed that he is the brother of convicted terrorist Aafia Siddiqui, who is incarcerated at the Carswell Air Force Base near Fort Worth. She was convicted for the murder of of a US solider in 2010 and is serving a prison sentence of 86 years for the crime. However, at the time of writing, the identity of the hostage taker had not been confirmed.

Also read: Colleyville hostage situation: US President Biden briefed, additional police deployed

The hostage taker’s attorney, as per ANI,  has dismissed these allegations, saying that his client has been trying to free Aafia via peaceful means. US law enforcement, however, has not yet confirmed whether Aafia’s brother is involved or not.

Who is Aafia Siddiqui?

Known as ‘Lady Al-Qaeda’, Aaifa Siddiqui has been linked to  9/11 ringleader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed according to foreignpolicy.com. The 50-year-old was believed to be a member of the Al-Qaeda but it cannot be confirmed if she is still with the group.

Also read | Woman pushed to death in Times Square subway station in New York City

As per reports, Siddiqui is a Pakistani. She lives in Boston and received her doctorate from Brandeis. 

She has two children, and reportedly her husband is an anesthesiologist at Brigham and Women’s.

According to Boston Magazine, Siddiqui is deeply religious, and picks up Korans from a local mosque and distributes them to inmates in area prisons.