Dawood hiding in Karachi, shows a recent intercept
NEW DELHI: Fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who has an Interpol Red Corner Notice pending against him for allegedly being a key 1993 Mumbai serial blasts’ conspirator, has been confirmed to be located in Karachi — as disclosed by a voice, presumed to be his, in a recent intercept of a telephonic conversation with an aide.
In the intercept done by an Indian security agency, a voice — presumably belonging to Dawood — indicated he is in the Pakistani city. Two months ago, there was an intercept of his conversations where he was allegedly talking about his supposed Dubai real-estate investments.
The two-minute conversation, which seemed coded in parts, featured Dawood and an aide discussing issues, including pending works at a construction site at an unclear location, arrangements with a Dubai-based aide for a business deal and the need to send “around three lakh Dirhams” to the latter via ‘Yasir’, said an investigator requesting anonymity.
When the aide said the money could be sent to Dubai via Yasir, Dawood’s voice was heard saying, “Yasir toh yahin Karachi mein hain. Theek hai, main usko bol deta hun (Yasin is here in Karachi. Okay, I will tell him)”.
The Interpol notice, issued at the behest of the CBI that probed the 1993 blasts case, said Dawood was allegedly also involved in counterfeiting currency and organised (trans-national) crimes.
Dawood asked his aide about Yasir’s schedule and was informed that the latter would leave for Dubai next Saturday. The aide told Dawood that he had spoken about the Dubai ‘kaam’ (work) with Tariq. “The interception is a pointer that Dawood is in Pakistan, something the country has always denied and demanded India for evidence to establish the same. The intercept will strengthen CBI’s demand for his return via Interpol,” said the source. The 2-minute conversation, which seemed coded in parts, featured Dawood and an aide Dawood’s voice is heard saying, “Yasir toh yahin Karachi mein hain. Theek hai, main usko bol deta hun (Yasin is in Karachi. I will tell him) Dawood’s voice concludes the conversation, saying the aide’s number will be saved and he can call back if there is any work.