WASHINGTON – An Indian-origin man has strike his car with the major airforce base in the US and died as the vehicle crashed and burst into flames,with the FBI saying they are investigating the motive behind his action.

Hafiz Kazi, 51, of Sausalito drove his minivan into the Travis Air ForceBase in Fairfield, California on March 21 without authorisation.

FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan said in a statement thatas the vehicle entered the base, it caught fire and Kazi died at the scene.

Within the vehicle, investigators found five propane tanks, a gym bag withpersonal effects, three phones, three plastic one-gallon gas cans, andseveral lighters.

The investigation is in the early stages, he said.

A report in Fox News quoted Ragan as saying that Kazi was a native of Indiawho has lived in the US since 1993 and was a permanent legal resident.Ragan said investigators have been unable to find any of Kazi’s familyliving in the US, but a family member in India has been notified of hisdeath.

The FBI officer said Kazi appeared to work as a cab driver in the past, butinvestigators are yet to determine if he was currently employed. It is alsonot clear if Kazi owned the minivan.

“We don’t have any evidence of any religious affiliation or anything atthis point,” Ragan said. “As of now, we know of no other associates.” Headded that based on the investigation so far, it appears Kazi did not haveany known links to terrorism.

Travis Air Force Base first responders and local emergency officialsresponded to the incident, which took place at the main gate entrance.Travis Air Force Base’s Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team, the Air ForceOffice of Special Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigationalso responded to the scene.

The FBI is currently leading the joint investigation to determine thecircumstances that led to the incident.